r 


M;ir\    S 


i 


A  REEL  IN  A  BOTTLE, 


JACK   IN  THE   DOLDRUMS; 


SEIKO 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF  TWO   OF  THE   KING  8   SEAMEN   IN   A 
VOYAGE  TO   THE   CELESTIAL   COUNTRY. 


BY  EEV.  HENRY  T.  CHEEVER, 

ACTHOB  OF    "  TOT  WHALE  AND  HIS  CAPTOB8,"   "  BLAND  -WORLD  OT  TH«  PACI7IO, 
"LIFE  IN  THE  SANDWICH  ISLANDS,"  KTO. 


SECOND  EDITION. 


NEW  YORK: 

CHARLES  SCRIBNER,   145  NASSAU  STREET. 
1852. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1852,  by 
CHARLES    80KIBNEE, 

In  the  Clerk's  Ofllce  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the  Southern 
District  of  New  York. 


0.   W.  BENEDICT, 

STEREOTYPES  AND  PKINTBB, 

201  William  Street 


PREFACE, 


DOLDRUMS  is  the  name  given  by  seamen  to  those  parts 
of  the  ocean  directly  under  the  Equator,  where  they  have 
neither  North  East  nor  South  East  trades,  but  baffling  winds 
and  calms.  In  the  navigation  of  life  all  men  fall  into  the 
Doldrum  state  some  time  or  another.  Too  many  persons, 
indeed,  keep  there  a  good  part  of  their  ,days,  their  sails 
seldom  filled  with  the  gales  of  the  Spirit,  and  rarely,  if 
ever,  finding  the  trade-winds  of  success. 

Now  it  may  be  well  for  all  such,  or  for  any  others,  whether 
on  a  tedious  or  quick  navigation,  to  turn  hither  and  try  to 
make  out  how  this  reel  got  into  the  bottle,  and  how  they  can 
get  it  out,  or  wind  off  its  lessons  of  wisdom.  They  will  be 
sure  to  meet  in  these  pages  something  to  please,  employ  and 
profit  them.  They  will  find  Peter  and  John  genial  companions, 
in  whose  society  they  can  while  away  an  hour,  and  be  all  the 
better  for  it 


2052371 


Vl  PREFACE. 

This  unique  manuscript  of  an  Old  Salt,  practically  expe- 
rienced in  the  navigation  described,  we  have  made  into  a 
book  for  all  that  get  into  the  Doldrums,  land-lubbers  as 
well  as  sailors,  and  whether  at  sea  or  on  the  land,  for  every- 
where life  has  its  Doldrums,  on  ship  or  shore.  It  is  for  all, 
indeed,  upon  the  voyage  of  life,  whether  they  meet  with 
driving  gales,  or  with  baffling  winds  and  calms.  It  has  been 
put  into  the  present  Editor's  hands  to  revise  and  correct  for 
the  press,  and  introduce  to  public  notice,  because  while  in- 
tended for  readers  at  large,  it  was  thought  to  be  especially 
suitable  for  a  contemplated  series  of  volumes,  constituting  a 
Library  for  the  Sea.  Hence  the  pertinence  of  its  name. 

The  Editor  takes  the  liberty  to  say,  whether  it  pleases  the 
Author  or  not,  that  the  Old  Salt  is  no  mere  crabbed  fellow  that 
has  lived  on  salt  junk  all  his  days,  till  his  juices  are  all  dried  out 
of  him.  But  his  humor  is  rich  and  generous,  and  he  seems  to 
be  well  skilled  in  the  Nautical  Almanac  used  in  the  navigation 
here  taught,  while  the  language  and  imageiy  of  the  Sailor's 
EPITOME,  spiritually  at  least,  seem  as  familiar  to  him  as  the 
images  of  things  that  lay  about  the  home  of  our  childhood. 
He  has  also  kept  the  eye  of  his  Christian  voyagers  on  all 
passing  events  to  windward,  while  themselves  steering  steadily 
by  Compass  and  Chart,  and  looking  at  all  things  from  their 
own  standpoint  in  their  Heavenly  EPITOME,  the  Living  Word 
their  only  rule.  Hence  the  value  of  their  comments  upon  the 
various  crafts  found  launched  upon  these  tides,  and  the  practi- 
cal wisdom  of  their  own  maxims  of  navigation. 

All  the   meaning  couched    under   the  various  names  and 


PREFACE.  Vll 

allusions  may  not  be  apprehended  by  every  reader  at  a  single 
perusal,  but  a  second  reading  through  the  glass  of  the  Word 
will  make  it  clear.  To  all  the  King's  Sailors,  on  the  Land  or 
Lea,  of  the  Old  World  and  the  New,  with  earnest  wishes  for 
their  good,  the  book  is  now  DEDICATED  by  the  Editor. 

NEW  YORK,  Nov.  1851.  H.  T.  C. 


THE  OLD  SALT'S  PKEFACE 


SECOND  EDITION. 


WITH  the  thanks  of  the  Old  Salt  and  his  friendly  Editor  for  the  kind 
reception  of  their  Book  by  the  people,  a  word  seems  necessary  in 
regard  to  the  title,  misapprehended  in  some  quarters,  and  possibly 
operating  as  a  scare-crow  at  a  gate- way,  to  keep  some  persons  from 
entering.  As  long  ago  as  we  can  remember,  the  Reel  in  a  Bottle  was  itself 
a  standing  allegory,  the  very  presentation  of  a  riddle.  We  believe  that 
in  the  minds  of  ninety-nine  tars  out  of  a  hundred,  the  phrase  may  be 
recognised  as  indicating  a  puzzle,  if  not  synonymous  with  the  very 
word.  We  never  dreamed  of  Jl  Reel  in  a  Bottle  suggesting  to  any 
imagination  the  phantasm  of  a  dance  among  bottle-imps,  any  more  than 
of  a  temperance  tea-party.  The  title  is  simply  another  name  for  an 
English  or  a  Chinese  Puzzle,  which,  constructed  in  thought,  imagery 
and  language,  instead  of  blocks,  cards,  or  steel  rings,  may  constitute 
what  in  this  volume  is  endeavored  to  be  realized,  an  instructive, 
thoughtful  Allegory  of  Eternal  Realities,  and  not  merely  a  fanciful  or 
amusing  Dream.  Our  world,  alas,  is  a  dreaming  world,  in  which  they 
that  are  asleep  act  as  if  they  were  awake,  and  they  that  are  awake 
too  often  seem  to  be  asleep.  It  is  also  a  world  in  which  shadows  are 
pursued  as  realities,  and  realities  are  treated  as  shadows.  We  wish 
to  show,  by  shadows,  the  substances  that  stand  behind,  and  the  GREAT 
SUN,  whose  realities  alone  causes  all  the  difference  between  light  and 
shade.  May  the  Book  continue  to  be  blest  of  Him,  whose  grace 
alone  can  ever  keep  the  soul  of  the  Pilgrim,  by  land  or  sea,  in  the 
King's  own  Highway. 

New  York,  April  17,  1852. 


CONTENTS 


PAOC 

CHAPTER  I. 

BY    WAT    OF    EXPLANATION,  13 


CHAPTER  II. 

LAND-LUBBERING    IN    THE    COUNTRY    OF    SELF-CONCEIT,  29 

CHAPTER  III. 

EXPERIENCE  OF  STORMS,  AND  THE  HARBOR  OF  GOOD 

HOPE, 48 

CHAPTER  IV. 
THE  SHIP  BECALMED,  AND  A  TALK  ABOUT  THE  CRUCIBLE,         70 

CHAPTER  V. 

CAPTAIN    GLIB's    YACHT,      .  .  r!         f    .       .  •  91 


I  CONTENTS. 

FAOB 

CHAPTER   VI. 
FISHING  FOR  PEARLS,  AND  CATCHING  ICEBERGS,  .  .         110 

CHAPTER  VII. 
POMEGRANATE  HARBOR,  AND  THE  HALL  OF  REVELATIONS,    130 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
A    CONFLICT    WITH     THE    GREAT     PIRATE,    AND    HOW    TO 

RESIST    TEMPTATION,  .  .  .  .  .          150 


CHAPTER   IX 
A    NAVAL   BATTLE    IN    THE    HALF-WAT  HARBOR   TO   ROME,    173 

CHAPTER  X. 
THE    CAPE    OF    STORMS,    AND    THE    ISLAND    OF   PEACE,      -    193 

CHAPTER  XI. 
ALMOST    SAVED ALMOST    LOST, 215 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE    HARBOR   OF  WORLDLY  CONFORMITY,  AND  WHAT  HAP- 
PENED   THERE,        .......    234 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE  EFFECTUAL   CALLING,     ......   258 


CONTENTS.  XI 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

EXAMPLE,    GRACE,    AND    GLORY,       .....    280 

CHAPTER  XV. 
PRAYER,    PROVIDENCE,    AND    FAITH,          ....    290 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
CAPTAIN    GOOD-ENOUGH    AND    HIS    CARGO,       .  .    805 

CHAPTER   XVII. 
NONE  BUT  CHRIST!  NONE  EOT  CHRIST!         .         .         .  321 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE    LAST    ENEMY, 338 


A  REEL  IN   A  BOTTLE. 


CHAPTEE  I. 

BY   WAY   OF  INTRODUCTION. 

IT  happened  on  a  time  that  the  King  of  the 
Celestial  Country,  moved  with  compassion  for  the 
people  of  this  earth,  resolved  to  establish  a  connection 
between  the  Celestial  Empire  and  our  world,  whereby 
any  that  chose  might  lay  up  their  treasures  in  that 
heavenly  region,  and  at  an  appointed  time  go  thither 
to  enjoy  them.  To  this  end  a  grand  ship  was  prepared 
to  take  passengers  across  the  great  sea  that  lies 
between  us  and  the  Celestial  Country. 

"While  the  vessel  was  a  building,  the  people  far 
and  near  had  warning  of  it,  and  many  looked  on 
curiously,  and  some  inquired  into  it  with  deep  inte- 
rest, for  there  were  many  communications  from  the 


14  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

King  continually  in  regard  to  it,  and  holy  men  of 
old  spake  about  it  as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy 
Spirit.1  The  multitude  were  very  indifferent  and 
unconcerned,  but  some  would  now  and  then  talk 
with  the  workmen,  and  though  it  took  many  genera- 
tions to  finish  the  ship,  yet  from  the  time  when  the 
first  orders  were  given  in  regard  to  it,  and  the  first 
beam  laid  for  it,  all  who  chose  might  have  an  interest 
in  it,  might  have  their  names  set  down  as  passengers, 
and  might  be  just  as  sure  of  all  the  benefits  of  it,  as 
any  of  those  who  should  be  alive  upon  the  earth  when 
the  ship  was  launched  and  sailing. 

The  Master  Builder  had  all  his  plans  perfect,  and 
gave  them  for  execution  into  the  hands  of  persons  in 
whom  he  could  confide,  and  the  vessel  was  a  noble 
craft,  as  beautiful  and  grand  to  see  as  ever  swam  the 
waters.  When  the  time  drew  near  for  the  comple- 
tion of  the  ship,  the  king  said  to  some  of  his  faithful 
seamen  then  living,  "  I  tell  you  that  many  prophets 
and  righteous  men  have  desired  to  see  the  things 
which  ye  see,  and  have  not  seen  them,  and  to  hear 
the  things  which  ye  hear,  and  have  not  heard  them."3 
And  after  the  ship  was  under  sailing  orders,  a  record 
was  drawn  up  of  a  great  cloud  of  witnesses  that  had 
before  obtained  an  interest  in  her  by  faith,  whose 
hearts  were  fixed  upon  the  Celestial  Country,, and  it 

1  2  Peter  i.  21.  "  Matt.  xiii.  17. 


FOE   JACK    IN   THE   DOLDBUMS.  15 

was  said  that  they  were  even  as  the  stars  of  the  sky  in 
multitude,  and  as  the  sand  which  is  by  the  sea-shore 
innumerable.  It  was  added  that  these  all  died  in 
faith,  not  having  received  the  promises,  but  having 
seen  them  afar  off,  and  were  persuaded  of  them,  and 
embraced  them,  and  confessed  that  they  were  stran- 
gers and  pilgrims  on  the  earth.  For  they  that  say 
such  things  declare  plainly  that  they  seek  a  country  ; 
wherefore  God  is  not  ashamed  to  be  called  their  God, 
yea,  they  desire  a  better,  that  is  a  heavenly  country ; 

FOR  HE  HATH  PREPARED  FOR  THEM  A  CITY.3 

Now  the  example  of  these  believing  and  happy 
persons  was  not  followed  by  as  many  as  might  have 
been  supposed  would  take  passage,  when  the  glory  of 
the  ship  and  the  full  blessedness  of  the  voyage  were 
seen  no  longer  as  through  a  glass  darkly,  but  as  it 
were  face  to  face.4  For  the  hardness  of  men's  hearts 
was  exceeding  great,  and  most  of  them  were  feasting 
and  revelling  just  as  when  Hoah  entered  into  the 
ark,  eating  and  drinking,  marrying  and  giving  in 
marriage,  and  neither  believing  nor  caring  concern- 
ing the  Celestial  Country.  And  the  god  of  this  world 
was  everywhere  at  work  in  great  power,  blinding  the 
minds  of  them  who  believed  not,  lest  at  any  time  the 
light  of  the  glorious  gospel  of  Christ  should  come  to 
their  notice,  and  the  offers  of  salvation  should  per- 

'  Heb.  xi.  12,  13,  14, 16.        4 1  Cor.  xiii.  12.        S2  Cor.  iv.  4. 


16  A   KEEL   IN   A  BOTTLE, 

Biiade  them  to  embark.  And  as  when  the  deluge 
came  upon  the  Old  "World  the  people  mocked  Noah 
and  his  Ark,  which  was  a  type  beforehand  of  this 
great  ship  of  salvation,  so  now  many  persons,  when 
they  heard,  mocked,  and  even  said  that  the  King's 
recruiting  officers  were  full  of  new  wine,  because,  by 
the  power  of  Divine  Inspiration  they  spoke  in  all 
languages,  and  invited  men  everywhere  in  their  own 
tongue,  to  take  passage  for  the  Celestial  Country. 
Nevertheless,  a  great  many  did  take  passage,  so  that 
on  one  occasion  three  thousand6  put  down  their 
names  at  one  and  the  same  time.  And  so  it  went 
on,  till  it  seemed  as  if  the  whole  world  were  going  to 
turn  sailors ;  but  that  happy  time  was  yet  a  great 
way  off. 

Whenever  the  ship  sailed,  all  that  chose  to  go 
were  invited.  They  were  to  ship  once  for  all,  being 
never  to  return  to  their  native  land,  but  to  put  into 
the  King's  harbor  in  the  Celestial  Country,  far  away, 
where  mansions  were  prepared  for  them,  and 
thrones,  and  crowns,  and  a  great  inheritance.  It  was 
said  that  their  own  country  was  to  be  visited  and 
burnt  up  with  fire,  which  would  involve  the  perdi- 
tion of  ungodly  men,  and  none  could  tell  when  that 
ruin  might  come ;  but  it  was  certain  ;  and  the  King's 
messengers  were  always  telling  the  people  to  secure 

6  Acts  ii.  41 


FOK  JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  17 

their  passage  in  season,  so  that  none  need  have 
failed,  though  oftentimes  very  few  paid  any  atten- 
tion to  the  warnings. 

The  vessel  might  return,  and  it  might  not,  in 
season  to  give  the  people  another  opportunity  for  the 
voyage  ;  but  it  was  entirely  unsafe  to  rely  upon  that, 
and  the  King's  messengers  were  continually  repeat- 
ing what  the  Holy  Spirit  had  said,  To-day  if  ye  will 
hear  his  voice,  harden  not  your  hearts.7  And  the 
King  himself  had  said  concerning  some  who  had 

o  o 

made  the  experiment  of  waiting  for  another  opportu- 
nity, and  had  lost  the  voyage  and  their  own  souls  for 
ever,  Be  ye  also  ready,  for  at  such  a  day  as  ye 
think  not,  the  Son  of  man  cometh.8  Much  was  also 
said  from  one  of  the  King's  own  parables,  concerning 
those  who  came  knocking  after  the  door  was  shut, 
and  could  not  get  in ;  and  this  word  also  would  be 
often  sounding  in  their  ears,  And  wMle  they  went  to 
buy,  the  Bridegroom  came.9  But  all  this  made  very 
little  impression,  and  things  went  on  much  as  before ; 
one  to  his  farm,  another  to  his  merchandise. 

Again  and  again  the  same  things  took  place, 
although  every  effort  was  made  to  convince  the 
people  of  their  guilt  and  clanger,  and  there  was  no 
want  of  allurements,  and  powerful  motives  working, 
to  induce  them  to  enlist  under  the  King's  flag. 

7  Heb.  iii.  15.  e  Matt.  xxiv.  44.  '  Matt.  xxv.  10. 


IS  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

Indeed,  the  offers  held  out  were  ravishing  beyond 
description,  and  every  one  knew  that  they  were  time, 
and  it  was  often  said  that  eye  had  not  seen,  nor  ear 
heard,  neither  had  any  heart  conceived  the  glory  of 
the  things  which  God  had  prepared  for  those  who 
love  him.10 

And  though  none  that  ever  set  out  on  the 
voyage  returned  from  the  Celestial  Country,  to 
to  bring  back  any  news,  yet  it  was  said  and  well 
known,  that  thev  were  in  a  region  where  there  was 

c/ 

no  more  death,  neither  sorrow,  nor  crying,  nor  any 
more  pain,11  and  that  there  they  were  arrayed  in 
white  robes,  with  crowns  upon  their  heads,  and 
palms  in  their  hands,  and  that  they  were  before  the 
throne  of  God,  serving  him  day  and  night  in  his 
temple,  and  that  He  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne  was 
dwelling  among  them,  and  that  they  should  hunger 
no  more,  neither  thirst  any  more,  neither  should  the 
sun  light  on  them,  nor  any  heat,  for  the  Lamb  which 
is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne  should  feed  them, 
and  should  lead  them  to  living  fountains  of  waters, 
..and  God  should  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their  eyes.12 
It  was  said  and  well  known  that  there  they  saw  the 
Bang's  face,  and  that  the  King's  name  was  in  their 
foreheads.13  Also  the  freedom  of  the  Holy  City  was 
theirs,  with  its  streets  of  gold  and  its  tree  of  life,  and 

M 1  Cor.  ii.  9.     "  Rev.  xxi.  4.     B  Rev.  vii.  9,  15,  17.      w  Rev.  xxii.  4. 


FOR   JACK    IN    THE   DOLDRUMS.  19 

its  pure 'river  of  the  waters  of  life,14  and  there  they 
went  in  and  out  continual ly,  with  an  innumerable 
company  of  angels,  and  the  happy  fellowship  of  the 
spirits  of  the  just  made  perfect.15  The  King's  mes- 
sengers used  to  talk  much  of  these  things,  and  more- 
over the  Earnest  of  the  Spirit  was  given  to  those  who 
would  obey  the  King,  to  bring  all  these  things  glow- 
ing to  their  hearts,  and  to  make  them  anxious  for  the 
voyage,  and  willing  to  leave  all  and  depart.  On  one 
occasion,  Moses  and  Ellas  had  even  been  seen  in 
glory  with  the  King,16  but  no  sailor  ever  came  back 
from  the  Celestial,  Country  to  tell  about  it. 

All  the  conditions  of  the  voyage  were  very  well 
known,  and  all  who  went  had  to  come,  themselves,  to 
the  King,  commit  everything  to  him,  and  take  the 
oath  of  obedience  and  love  as  his  seamen,  for  all  had 
to  work  their  own  passage.  One  of  the  King's  names 
was  Irnmanuel,  GOD  WITH  us,17  and  one  of  the  rules 
for  all  his  sailor-pilgrims  was  this,  Work  out  your 
own  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling,  for  it  is  God 
which  worketh  in  you,  both  to  will  and  to  do,  of  his 
good  pleasure  ™  The  King  was  also  called,  THE  LORD 
OUR  RIGHTEOUSNESS,19  and  one  of  the  descriptions  of 
himself  was  in  these  words,  I  am  the  Way,  the 
Truth,  and  the,  Life.™  It  was  well  known  that  no 

14  Rev.  xx.li.  1.  15  Heb.  xii.  22,  23.         1B  Matt.  xvii.  3. 

n  Matt.  i.  23.      18  Phil.ii.  12,  13.     19  Jer.  xxiii.  6.     20  John  xiv.  6. 


20  A    REEL   IN  A  BOTTLE, 

man  could  come  to  tlie  Father,  but  by  him,  and  that 
all  heavenly  seamanship  was  to  be  learned  from  him, 
and  that  he  had  his  Father's  promise  to  give  the 
Holy  Spirit  to  all  who  asked  him.  He  also  gave 
assurance  that  whatsoever  things  they  asked  of  the 
Father  in  his  name,  he  would  give  it  to  them."  He 
had  said  likewise,  If  a  man  will  love  me,  he  will 
keep  my  words,  and  my  Father  will  love  him,  and 
we  will  come  unto  him,  and  make  our  abode  with 
him.25  And  many  other  precious  promises  he  gave, 
and  everything  had  been  made  sure  in  his  own  most 
precious  blood,  which  he  shed  upon  the  cross  for  the 
forgiveness  and  eternal  life  of  as  many  as  would  put 
their  trust  in  him.  And  he  used  to  add  to  all  his 
promises,  HEM  THAT  COMETH  UNTO  ME,  I  WILL  IN  NO 

WISE  CAST  OUT." 

Now  it  happened  on  an  occasion  when  I  was  on  a 
visit  to  those  parts  from  which  the  King's  ship  was 
then  just  about  to  sail,  that  two  of  the  inhabitants 
were  much  wrought  upon  by  all  these  things,  and 
were  resolved  to  make  the  voyage  together.  I  have 
also  since  then  learned  some  history  of  the  things  they 
met  with,  which  for  the  good  of  others  I  am  deter- 
mined to  relate.  They  did  not  come  to  this  good 
r'esolution  both  at  the  same  time,  for  one  was  consi 
derably  in  advance  of  the  other,  and  was  a  good 

81  John  xvi.  23.  M  John  xiv.  23.  M  John  vi.  37. 


FOE  JACK  EST  THE  DOLDRUMS.          21 

while  in  persuading  the  other  to  take  the  same  stand. 
And  doubtless  he  never  could  have  prevailed  upon 
him  to  do  so  against  the  ridicule  of  his  ungodly 
friends  and  acquaintance,  if  it  had  not  been  for  God's 
good  Providence  in  bringing  the  man  upon  a  bed  of 
sickness,  so  that  he  was  chastened  with  pain,  and 
brought  near  to  the  gates  of  death,  and  greatly  terri- 
fied in  his  conscience  at  the  thoughts  of  the  judgment 
to  come. 

Then  his  friend  put  in  train  upon  him  all 
the  arguments  he  could  think  of  to  reach  his  heart, 
that  he  might  be  induced  to  enter  his  name  as  a 
King's  seaman.  He  prayed  with  him  again  and 
again,  and  read  to  him  the  thirty-third  chapter  of  the 
King's  Book  of  Job,  to  show  him  God's  meaning  in 
such  providences  as  had  befallen  him,  that  he  might 
pray  unto  God,  and  that  God  might  be  favorable 
unto  him.  He  told  him  of  the  time  when  once  the 
long  suffering  of  God  waited  in  the  days  of  Noah,24 
and  of  the  destruction  of  the  ungodly  then,  and  how 
certain  it  was  that  a  much  worse  destruction  would 
overtake  them,  who  refused  to  take  passage  in  the 
King's  ship,  according  to  his  invitation  and  com- 
mandment. He  told  him  that  if  he  would  but  begin 
seeking  the  Lord  in  earnest,  he  would  find  that  as 
goon  as  he  had  come  to  a  decision  to  embark  on 

24  1  Pet.  iii.  20. 


22  A    REEL    IN    A    BOTTLE, 

board  the  King's  ship,  the  whole  way  would  seem 
easy  to  him. 

The  men's  names  were  Peter  and  John,  and  Peter 
was  the  oldest,  though  indeed  there  was  not  much 
difference  in  their  ages.  One  day  Peter  says  to 
John,  What  now  ?  Don't  you  know  that  some  time 
or  another,  if  ever  you  get  on  board  that  ship  as  an 
accepted  sailor,  it  must  be  in  this  way  ?  You  must 
leave  all,  and  come  to  Christ. 

Isfay,  said  John,  I  begin  to  think  I  must  bring  all 
to  Christ,  for  I  find  no  heart  to  leave  all,  and  yet, 
come  to  him  I  must.  Now  the  question  is,  Will  it  be 
of  any  use  to  come  so  ?  Will  he  have  me  as  I  am  ? 
May  I  come  to  him  for  a  heart  to  leave  all  and  come, 
or  must  I  stay  away  till  I  am  willing  to  leave  ALL? 

Why,  said  Peter,  I  hope  the  Spirit  of  God  himself 
has  put  it  into  your  heart  to  ask  these  questions,  for 
here  you  have  touched  the  very  evil ;  and  I  can  tell 
you  if  you  stay  away  from  Christ  till  you  are  willing 
to  leave  all  for  him,  you  never  will  come  at  all.  Yes, 
yes !  You  must  come  for  a  heart,  and  that  will  be 
bringing  your  heart.  You  must  come  for  a  new  heart, 
bringing  the  old  one,  for  as  long  as  you  stay  away 
from  Christ,  you  will  never  have  any  but  the  old  one 
to  bring  him.  It  is  only  in  Christ  that  we  can  be 
made  new  creatures,  and  not  out  of  him.  Old  things. 


FOR   JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  23 

are  done  away,  and  all  things  become  new  in  Christ,26 
but  never  away  from  Christ.  So  come ;  come  any 
way,  only  come. 

Well,  said  John,  I'll  try.  And  after  he  had  been 
trying  some  time,  a  verse  came  to  him  in  an  Old 
Almanac,  where  he  was  looking  for  the  weather, 

Just  as  I  am,  without  one  plea, 
But  that  thy  blood  was  shed  for  me, 
And  that  thou  bid'st  me  come  to  thee 
O  Lamb  of  God,  I  come ! 

And  that  helped  him  very  much,  for  it  seemed  to 
be  exactly  the  language  which  the  weather  in  his 
soul  required.  And  after  awhile  he  met  with  other 
verses  belonging  to  the  same,  in  the  Old  Almanac, 
and  was  glad  to  find  them. 

Just  as  I  am,  and  waiting  not 
To  rid  my  soul  of  one  dark  blot, 
To  thee,  whose  blood  can  cleanse  each  spot, 
O  Lamb  of  God,  I  come  ! 

Just  as  I  am,  though  tossed  about 
With  many  a  conflict,  many  a  doubt, 
Fightings  within  and  fears  without, 
O  Lamb  of  God,  I  come  ! 

Just  as  I  am,  poor,  wretched,  blind  ! 
Sight,  riches,  healing  of  the  mind, 
Yea,  all  I  need,  in  thee  to  find, 
O  Lamb  of  God,  I  come  ! 

29  2  Cor.  v.  17. 


2  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE. 

Just  as  I  am,  thou  wilt  receive, 
Wilt  welcome,  pardon,  cleanse,  relieve  ; 
Because  thy  promise  I  believe, 
O  Lamb  of  God,  I  come ! , 

And  so  he  kept  praying  for  many  days,  often 
saying,  Lord,  I  believe,  help  thou  mine  unbelief  y2' 
until  at  length  these  expressions  seemed  to  him  to 
have  some  meaning ;  for  at  first,  though  he  had 
tried  to  use  them,  it  did  not  seem  to  him  that  he 
understood  them,  or  felt  them  as  he  ought,  but  now 
they  were  like  hidden  things  that  seemed  to  be 
coming  out  into  the  light,  and  his  words  meant 
something,  and  he  began  to  come  to  Christ ;  not 
merely  for  the  sake  of  corning  to  him,  but  to  get 
something.  So  things  went  on,  till  at  length  these 
exercises  of  the  Divine  Spirit  so  wrought  in  his  heart, 
and  the  word  of  God  got  such  power  over  him,  that 
he  was  as  much  bent  upon  the  voyage  to  the  Celes- 
tial City  as  Peter  himself  ever  had  been ;  and  so 
they  concluded  to  set  out  together. 

They  two  were  the  only  ones  at  that  time,  for  the 
place  where  they  were  was  then  very  low  in  respect 
to  knowledge  and  interest  in  the  King's  commerce  ; 
and  though  the  people  were  willing  to  hear  the 
King's  messengers,  yet  they  were  so  full  of  business, 
clearing  and  discharging  vessels  of  their  own,  and 

46  Mark  Lx.  24. 


FOB  JACK    IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  25 

having  great  warehouses  full  of  merchandise,  which 
they  were  busy  selling,  and  a  great  many  manufac 
turing  establishments  going  on,  and  in  fine,  a  great 
press  of  business  of  all  kinds,  that  there  was  no  heart 
to  attend  to  anything  else,  and  it  was  never  conve- 
nient for  them  to  put  their  own  effects  by,  or  to 
settle  them  up,  so  as  to  start  upon  the  voyage. 
These  two,  therefore,  were  the  only  ones  at  that  time, 
and  so  the  vessel  was  put  under  their  care,  just  as  if 
they  had  chartered  her  for  themselves  alone. 

They  had  all  the  provisions  and  instruments  of 
navigation,  a  perfect  and  infallible  chart,  a  chro- 
nometer that  only  needed  care  in  winding,  and  a 
barometer  that  foretold  all  changes  of  the  weather. 
They  had  instruments  to  take  their  reckoning  by  the 
sun,  and  also  for  lunar  observations,  and  they  had 
their  log-books,  and  the  best  of  spy-glasses,  and 
besides  all  this,  they  had  means  by  the  faithful 
use  of  which,  though  it  needed  no  little  skill 
and  attention,  they  might  detect  the  direction  and 
strength  of  unseen  tides  and  undercurrents.  They 
were  indeed  provided  with  everything  that  could 
help  to  make  their  voyage  prosperous,  sure,  and  suc- 
cessful. Besides  this,  there  were  some  private  stores 
with  which  they  were  cautioned  to  supply  themselves, 
though  for  these  also  they  must  draw  upon  the  King's 

storehouses   by  personal  drafts  from  him;  and  also 

2 


26  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

some  things  for  private  adventure,  which  they  were 
to  make  the  most  of,  and  to  increase  as  far  as  possible 
during  the  voyage. 

A  note  was  put  into  their  hands  in  regard  to  these 
matters,  that  they  might  be  neither  idle  nor  unfruit- 
ful in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,17 
running  after  this  manner :  Besides  this,  giving  all 
diligence  add  to  your  faith  virtue,  and  to  virtue 
knowledge,  and  to  knowledge  temperance,  and  to 
temperance  patience,  and  to  patience  godliness,  and 
to  godliness  brotherly  kindness,  and  to  brotherly 
kindness  charity ;  for  so  an  entrance  shall  be  minis- 
tered unto  you  abundantly  into  the  everlasting  king- 
dom of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.88 

There  was  no  quarantine  for  the  Celestial  City, 
.  because,  if  these  things  were  on  board,  it  proved  that 
the  vessel  was  one  of  the  King's  ships ;  and  as  to 
any  plague,  or  danger  of  it,  in  the  Celestial  Country, 
there  was  no  such  possibility,  for  one  of  the  laws  of 
that  country  was  this,  The  inhabitant  shall  no  more 
say  I  am  sick,"  and  nothing  that  defileth  was  ever 
permitted  to  enter  into  it.80  Moreover,  in  the  King's 
ship,  and  upon  every  sailor,  there  was  the  King's 
own  seal,  with  a  private  mark  read  by  himself  in 
heaven,  indicated  by  this  inscription,  The  Lord 
knoweth  them  that  are  his  ;  and  also  a  more  visible 

JT  2  Pet.  i  8    *82  Pet.  i.  5,  6,  7  11.    w  Isa.  xxxiii.  24.    »°  Rev.  xxi.  27 


FOE   JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  27 

and  common  mark,  read  upon  earth,  Let  every  one 
that  nameth  the  name  of  Christ  depart  from  iniquity.31 
It  was  well  known  that  every  one  having  this  earthly 
inscription  visible  as  in  fulfilment,  had  his  name  in 
God's  book  with  the  other  seal  in  heaven.  Yet  many 
persons  hoped  for  the  last  in  heaven,  without  having 
the  first  on  earth,  without  any  anxious  effort  after  the 
first ;  and  such  persons  were  very  sure  to  be  disap- 
pointed, since  God's  seal  never  left  one  side  of  the 
impression  without  the  other,  and  either  of  them  being 
entirely  alone,  was  proved  to  be  a  forgery. 

Now  it  so  happened,  in  the  good  providence  of 
God,  that  when  the  time  came  for  them  to  set  sail, 
everything  was  favorable,  and  the  weather  delightful. 
It  was  Friday,  and  according  to  the  superstitions  of 
many  of  the  coasting  vessels  and  seacraft  of  their 
native  land,  they  ought  not  to  have  set  sail  on  that 
day ;  for  there  were  many  who  did  not  scruple  at  all 
to  work  in  their  own  ships,  and  sail  them  out  of  port 
on  the  Lord's  day,  that  would  not  have  sailed  on 
Friday  on  any  consideration.  However  there  were 
orders  from  the  King  of  the  Celestial  country  to  dis- 
regard all  such  foolish  superstitions,  but  to  keep  the 
Sabbath  holy ;  so  it  being  Friday  was  no  reason  to 
them  for  not  sailing,  but  it  being  a  fine  day,  they  put 
out  to  sea  with  a  strong  breeze,  which  carried  them 

312  Tim.  ii.  19. 


28  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE,    ETC. 

speedily  some  hundreds  of  miles  away  from  the  coast 
of  their  native  land. 

At  this  they  were  much  elated,  for  it  was  a  good 
thing  at  the  beginning  to  get  such  an  impulse,  and 
they  thought  they  should  make  the  voyage,  perhaps, 
without  encountering  any  of  the  dangers  and  difficul- 
ties they  had  heard  described,  as  almost  always  met 
with.  Added  to  this,  by  a  mistake  in  their  reckon- 
ing, before  they  had  got  accustomed  to  practical  navi- 
gation, they  several  days  put  down  in  their  log-book 
a  much  greater  advance  than  they  had  made  in 
reality,  and  as  all  their  calculations  were  based 
accordingly,  this  mistake  might  have  been  attended 
with  very  serious  consequences,  for  it  made  them 
remarkably  confident  and  secure.  They  carried  all 
sail,  put  on  the  top-gallant  royals  and  skysails,  and 
even  got  out  their  studding-sails,  for  indeed  it  was 
most  inviting  weather,  and  a  most  delightful  breeze, 
and  they  felt  animated  to  make  the  most  of  it,  and  a 
beautiful  sight  it  was  to  see  the  rig  of  the  vessel,  and 
how  grandly  she  ploughed  the  deep. 


CHAPTER  H. 

LAIX'D-LUBBERING   IN   THE   COUNTRY   OF  SELF-CONCEIT. 

THEY  were  to  sail  past  the  country  of  Self-Conceit, 
and  were  permitted  on  no  account  to  enter  any  of 
its  harbors,  or  to  land  anywhere  on  the  coast,  or  to 
have  any  intercourse  with  the  inhabitants,  unless 
some  of  them  should  put  off  in  boats,  desiring  a 
passage  to  the  Celestial  Country.  And  that  country 
of  Self-Conceit  was  put  down  in  their  chart,  with  a 
warning  against  the  coast  as  very  dangerous,  and 
there  were  marks  on  the  chart  to  signify  some 
dreadful  shipwrecks  that  had  there  taken  place. 
But  owing  to  that  mistake  in  their,  reckoning  of 
which  I  have  spoken,  they  thought  themselves  much 
past  that  region  of  country,  and  so,  taking  no  special 
pains  to  keep  off,  although  the  wind  blew  towards 
the  shore,  they  coasted  nearer  to  the  shore  than  would 
have  been  prudent,  even  could  they  have  counted  on 
continued  fine  weather. 


30  A    KEEL    IN  A  BOTTLE, 

But  this  they  could  by  no  means  do  in  that  region, 
as  they  soon  found  to  their  cost.  For  it  happened 
that  opposite  the  mouth  of  one  of  the  rivers,  which 
from  that  country  run  into  the  sea,  they  were  over- 
taken by  a  terrible  storm,  and  the  wind  driving  that 
way,  with  so  little  sea  room  that  they  were  in  immi- 
nent danger  of  striking,  and  dared  not  attempt  wea- 
thering the  point,  within  which  the  storm  had  caught 
them,  they  made  shift  to  run  up  into  the  river, 
deeming  themselves  happy  so  soon  to  have  got  into 
quiet,  smooth,  and  safe  waters.  But  they  knew  not 
where  they  were,  and  they  had  better  have  kept  out 
at  sea  and  endured  the  storm,  as  the  event  proved. 
They  thought  at  first  they  would  only  anchor  there 
for  the  night,  and  when  the  sea  became  calm  and  the 
sky  clear,  they  would  resume  their  course  in  the 
ocean. 

The  next  day  it  cleared  off  indeed,  and  the  sea  was 
inviting,  but  notwithstanding  that  the  weather  had 
changed,  the  wind  still  blew  strong  up  river,  so  how 
could  they  get  out  of  the  harbor,  not  knowing  the 
channel,  and  being  unable  to  tack,  for  want  of  sea 
room? 

Besides,  the  banks  of  the  river  looked  so  charming, 
and  the  whole  country,  as  far  up  as  they  could  see, 
promised  so  much  to  their  curiosity,  that  they  con- 
cluded to  sail  further  up,  intending  to  take  advantage 


FOB  JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  31 

of  the  first  change  of  wind,  and  to  put  out  to  sea 
again.  So  they  weighed  anchor,  and  soon  lost  sight 
of  the  coast  and  the  ocean.  And  now,  as  there 
seemed  but  little  need  of  studying  their  chart,  since 
there  was  no  river  navigation  laid  down  there,  they 
delivered  themselves  to  their  own  speculations  and 
imaginings  about  the  new  things  which  they  were 
beginning  to  behold.  They  even  thought  it  possible 
that  Divine  Providence  had  turned  them  into  this 
river,  so  as  to  enlarge  their  sphere  of  observation  and 
experience,  and  perhaps  open  through  them  a  new 
mine  of  theological  learning,  almost  a  new  revelation. 
For  the  air  of  the  country  began  to  take  effect  upon 
them,  and  they  looked  back  upon  what  seemed  to 
them  their  low  views,  confined  so  closely  to  the  lines 
traced  for  them  in  the  King's  charts,  with  something 
like  contempt.  They  thought  it  became  them  to 
hold  their  minds  open  to  conviction  and  improve- 
ment, let  it  come  in  what  shape,  or  from  whatever 
quarter  it  might. 

They  went  a  good  way  up  the  country,  and  what 
seemed  very  strange  was  that  the  river  was  broader 
and  deeper  high  up  in  the  interior ;  also  it  grew 
very  winding  in  its  course,  and  as  the  compass  did 
not  here  traverse  as  they  were  used  to  see  it,  they 
could  now  hardly  tell,  to  any  certainty,  which  was 
East,  West,  North,  or  South.  And  as  to  the  wind, 


32  A  KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

that  seemed  always  to  blow  np  river,  let  the  windings 
of  the  river  be  what  they  might ;  and  the  further  they 
went,  the  more  delighted  they  were,  for  the  country 
in  every  direction  was  enchanting;  and  though  as 
yet  they  had  conversed  with  none  of  the  inhabitants, 
yet  they  could  see  the  villages  and  beautiful  houses 
and  farms  on  the  shores  on  either  side,  so  that  at 
length  the  desire  awoke  within  them  to  go  ashore  for 
a  while,  and  make  some  little  explorations. 

Accordingly  they  left  the  ship  under  guard,  with 
orders  to  await  their  return,  and  took  their  depart- 
ure. As  they  preferred  to  go  by  the  green  lanes  and 
across  the  fields,  because  it  was  so  much  pleasanter 
travelling,  they  did  not  at  first  meet  many  people. 
The  first  person  that  spoke  to  them  was  a  man  en- 
gaged in  tying  down  a  balloon  to  a  stake  in  the  field, 
and  he  gazed  at  them  with  some  curiosity,  as  they 
wore  the  King's  naval  uniform,  which,  though  very 
simple,  was  peculiar.  He  told  them  there  was  to  be 
a  great  ascension  here,  and  that  the  method  of  travel- 
ling by  balloons  was  much  occupying  men's  minds. 
He  said,  moreover,  that  a  new  geological  survey  of 
the  world  had  just  been  ordered  by  the  Royal 
Academy  of  that  country,  and  that  the  Mosaic 
account  of  the  creation  must  either  be  renounced  or 
spiritualized,  and  that,  to  save  the  credit  of  the  Bible, 
they  were  pretty  generally  transcendentalizing  the 


FOE  JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  33 

whole  thing,  or  regarding  it  but  as  the  beginning  of 
a  higher  revelation,  which  was  to  be  interior  and 
more  illuminating,  after  which  the  first  would  be 
laid  aside,  the  Old  and  New  Testament  being  merely 
a  revelation  of  the  letter,  while  the  new  revelation 
would  be  a  universal  inspiration  of  the  spirit. 

These  things  were  so  far  beyond  the  depth  of  Peter 
and  John,  that  they  would  have  thought  the  man 
was  crazy,  if  he  had  not  told  them  that  the  "Word 
was  only  as  the  shrouds,  by  which  one  could  get  to 
the  mast-head.  Then  they  answered  him  that 
though  the  mast-head  was  an  excellent  place  occa- 
sionally for  a  look-out,  yet  nobody  could  live  there, 
and  if  the  shrouds  were  taken  away  after  getting 
there,  it  would  be  pretty  difficult  and  dangerous  to 
get  back,  nor  could  they  sail  the  ship  by  the  mast- 
head, but  preferred  the  King's  chart  and  compass. 

The  man  then  plied  them  with  so  much  more  of 
his  jargon  that  their  ears  were  almost  stunned,  and 
they  were  quite  startled  back  into  the  mood  of  humble 
reverence  and  dependence  on  the  Lord's  "Word  and 
Spirit.  And  the  King's  word  came  into  Peter's  mind 
like  fire,  Believe  not  every  spirit,  but  try  the  spirits 
whether  they  ~be  of  God.1  Then,  as  some  of  the 
expressions  which  the  man  had  dropped  led  them  to 
suspect  the  wanton  nature  of  the  liberty,  to  gain 

Jl  Johniv.  1. 

2* 


34  A   KEEL   IN    A   BOTTLE, 

which  he  was  for  cutting  loose  from  the  Word,  with 
his  pretences  to  a  higher  inspiration  and  perfection, 
Peter  asked  him  if  he  had  not  himself  once  served  on 
board  one  of  the  King's  ships.  And  he  answered 
yes,  and  that  not  a  few  in  his  present  country  had 
done  the  same,  but  had  now  learned  a  freer  way. 

Then  said  Peter,  These  are  wells  without  water, 
clouds  that  are  carried  with  a  tempest ;  to  whom  the 
mist  of  darkness  is  reserved  for  ever.  For  when 
they  speak  great  swelling  words  of  vanity,  they 
allure  through  the  lusts  of  the  flesh,  through  much 
wantonness,  those  that  were  clean  escaped  from  them 
who  live  in  error.  While  they  promise  them  liberty, 
they  themselves  are  the  servants  of  corruption.  For 
if,  after  they  have  escaped  the  pollutions  of  the  world 
through  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ,  they  are  again  entangled  therein,  and  over- 
come, the  latter  end  is  worse  with  them  than  the 
beginning.  For  it  had  been  better  for  them  not  to 
have  known  the  way  of  righteousness,  than  after  they 
have  known  it,  to  turn  from  the  holy  commandment 
delivered  unto  them.  But  it  is  happened  unto  them 
according  to  the  true  proverb,  The  dog.  is  turned  to 
his  own  vomit  again,  and  the  sow  that  was  washed  to 
her  wallowing  in  the  mire.* 

After  this  they  went  on  their  way  with   many 

4  2  Pet.  ii.  17-22. 


FOR   JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  35 

misgivings.  Bat  they  had  not  travelled  far,  when 
they  came  to  a  region  where  there  were  beautiful 
churches,  or  buildings  which  they  took  to  be  churches, 
and  many  other  external  signs  of  a  religious  people. 
Accordingly  they  did  find  there  a  people  quite  re- 
ligious in  their  own  way,  but  as  Peter  and  John 
soon  perceived,  not  according  to  the  faith  to  be 
learned  from  God's  word  and  the  gospel.  To  their 
astonishment  they  found  some  who  denied  that  the 
King  of  the  Celestial  Country  was  that  Divine  Being 
who  was  in  the  beginning  with  God,  and  who  is  God, 
and  who  became  flesh  for  us,  taking  upon  himself  our 
nature,  that  he  might  bear  our  sins  upon  the  cross, 
and  die  for  our  salvation. 

And  whereas  the  system  of  religion  in  the  cross 
and  in  the  love  of  Christ  begins  with  self-abase- 
ment, the  scheme  of  this  people  seemed  to  begin  with 
self-exaltation.  And  whereas  they  knew  the  religion 
of  the  cross  in  its  power  to  be  a  death  to  self  and 
sin,  they  found  that  with  this  people  it  was  turned 
into  the  cultivation  of  natural  life  merely,  the 
example  of  Christ  being  consulted  as  an  admirable 
guide,  indeed,  and  a  very  wise,  merciful,  heavenly 
and  comforting  thing,  but  of  the  necessity  of  his 
death  for  them,  or  of  their  new  birth  and  life  in 
him  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  they  either  had  no  idea, 
or  no  belief  in  it.  Manv  of  them  carefullv  culti- 


36  A  REEL    EN   A   BOTTLE, 

vated  all  the  social  qualities,  and  were  people  of 
much  refinement  in  literature,  and  exceedingly  gen- 
teel in  their  morality.  The  high  cultivation  of  their 
native  qualities  they  presented  in  proof  that  they 
needed  nothing  but  that  for  an  entrance  to  heaven. 
They  thought  it  impossible  that  a  community  of  such 
sweet  farms,  gardens,  and  pretty  cottages,  could  ever 
be  sent  to  any  worse  place  in  the  spiritual  world 
than  heaven,  and,  indeed,  most  of  them  did  never 
believe  that  there  was  any  other  place  for  souls  but 
heaven. 

Now  when  Peter  and  John  told  them  what  things 
they  had  heard  from  the  King's  messengers,  and 
from  the  King  himself,  and  how  they  were  certainly 
true,  and  that  the  world  and  all  that  is  therein  will  be 
burned  up  to  the  perdition  of  ungodly  men,*  they 
smiled  and  pitied  their  simplicity,  and  seemed  no 
way  disturbed  in  mind  for  anything  that  was  to 
come. 

As  to  the  voyage  or  pilgrimage  to  the  heavenly 
country,  they  said  that  such  ideas  were  quite 
antiquated  ;  and  as  to  the  burning  of  the  world,  they 
said  that  it  only  meant  a  transfiguration  into  a  purer 
state,  into  which  "they  themselves  were  already  pass- 
ing, so  that  every  pound  of  guano  which  they  put 
upon  their  fields  and  gardens  to  quicken  vegetation, 

1 2  Pet.  iii.  7. 


FOE  JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  37 

and  every  moral  virtue  which  they  cultivated,  was  a 
part  of  the  flame  of  that  threatened  conflagration, 
and  thus  earth  was  to  be  transformed  into  heaven. 
They  said,  moreover,  that  a 'railroad  was  in  process 
of  construction,  and  had  been  carried  already  as  far 
as  the  Delectable  Mountains,  and  from  there  to  the 
Celestial  City  a  joint-stock  company  had  prepared  a 
line  of  aerial  steamers  and  balloons. 

They  gave  them  to  understand  likewise  that  a 
Mutual  Insurance  Company  had  been  established, 
guaranteeing  all  travellers  a  perfect  security  from 
every  danger  by  the  way,  and  engaging  a  certainty 
of  passage  even  at  the  latest  hour,  when,  if  the  regu- 
lar trains  were  all  full,  extra  trains  would  always  be 
sent  on  for  the  convenience  of  passengers.  They 
informed  them  likewise  of  their  system  of  through 
tickets,  by  which  any  traveller  might  spend  a  year  or 
more  at  any  intermediate  station,  as  at  the  great  town 
of  Vanity  Fair,  or  at  the  Gold  Mines,  where  also 
was  a  great  city,  or  anywhere  else,  as  they  might 
choose,  and  afterwards  proceed,  without  loss,  by  the 
same  ticket,  which  would  be  as  good  as  ever,  and 
just  as  available  for  entrance  to  the  Celestial  City. 

Now  Peter  and  John  were  for  the  moment  taken 
all  aback,  as  well  they  might  be,  by  all  these  things, 
for  the  speech  and  preaching  of  them  was  as  smooth 
as  oil ;  and  if  they  had  not  set  out  as  common  sailors 


38  A  KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

to  work  their  passage,  they  might  have  been  com- 
pletely confounded.  But  though  at  this  time,  so  far 
from  the  sea,  yet  their  hearts  clung  to  their  ship,  and 
from  their  own  experience  they  knew  there  was  an 
ocean  to  cross,  and  that  it  was  not  possible  to  get  to 
the  Celestial  City  without  crossing  it.  Besides,  they 
preferred  a  good  sailing  vessel  to  any  steamer.  So 
they  said  one  to  another,  This  is  all  very  well  for 
those  that  are  righteous,  but  the  books  of  science  and 
the  farms,  and  the  Mutual  Admiration  Societies,  will 
never  keep  the  world  from  burning.  It  will  never  do 
for  sinners  like  ourselves  to  stop  here. 

Then  said  John  to  his  brother,  Do  you  remember 
that  Psalm  where  it  says,  My  steps  had  well  nigh 
slipped,  my  feet  were  almost  gone.4  Now  it  comes 
into  my  mind  like  a  flame.  If  these  things  that  the 
people  here  tell  us  were  true,  then  verily  we  have 
cleansed  our  heart  in  vain,  and  washed  our  hands  in 
innocency  ;6  if  we  could  say  that  we  have  done  this, 
even  as  the  Psalmist  did.  What  need  of  a  weari- 
Bome  painful  pilgrimage  to  heaven,  if  there  is  no 
hell? 

Ah  my  brother,  said  Peter,  that  is  a  good  Psalm  to 
think  upon,  when  so  tempted.  Surely  ihou  didst  set 
in  slippery  places?  O,  there  is  no  truth  in  those 
n  hopes.  "When  the  end  comes,  then  what  will 

4  Psa.  Ixxiii.  2.  •  Psa.  Ixxiii.  13.  '  Psa.  Ixxiii.  18. 


FOR  JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  39 

become  of  their  tickets,  and  their  insurance  com- 
panies ?  How  are  they  brought  into  desolation  as  in 
a  moment!  They  are  utterly  consumed  with  terrors. 
As  a  dream  when  one  awaketh,  so,  O  Lord,  when 
thou  awakest,  thou  shalt  despise  their  image.7 

"Well,  said  John,  I  feel  as  though  we  had  been 
dreaming,  and  the  conversation  of  these  men  about 
their  railroads  and  joint-stock  companies,  before  the 
end,  makes  me  think  of  the  talk  of  the  rich  man  in 
hell  with  Abraham  in  heaven,  after  the  end.8  Oh,  that 
poor  rich  man  thought  he  was  one  of  these  stock- 
holders, but  he  found  it  was  a  great  mistake.  For 
alas,  what  shall  it  profit  a  man  if  he  gain  the  whole 
world,  and  lose  his  own  soul.9 

Yes,  answered  Peter,  and  now  I  hear  a  voice  saying 
to  us,  Arise  ye  and  depart  hence,  for  this  is  not  your 
rest,  because  it  is  polluted,  it  shall  destroy  you,  even 
with  a  sore  destruction.10  Oh,  my  brpther,  we  have 
been  here  too  long ;  we  have  no  business  here ; 
we  ought  never  to  have  come  here.  Let  us  be 
going. 

So  they  thought.  But  there  were  temptations  and 
trials  in  wait  for  them,  of  which  they  never  dreamed 
when  on  board  ship.  One  day,  being  tired  with 
their  journey,  they  were  persuaded  to  taste  a  cordial 
of  the  country,  universally  used  there,  and  it  had  a 

'  Psa.  Ixxiii.  18-20.     8  Luke  xvi.  23.     » Mark  viii.  36.     '°  Mic.  ii.  10. 


40  A   KEEL   DST   A   BOTTLE, 

quality  that  made  them  light-headed,  and  for  a 
season  took  away  their  sober  judgment ;  and  under 
this  delusion  they  fell  into  the  hands  of  some  land- 
sharks,  that  had  had  notice  of  their  being  in  those 
parts,  and  had  followed  them  up  from  the  sea,  who 
stripped  them  of  their  means  of  subsistence,  and 
almost  of  their  clothing,  and  then  turned  them  out 
of  doors.  They  told  them  they  were  a  couple  of 
self-conceited  fools  for  refusing  to  stop  in  that  country. 

And  now  for  the  first  time  Peter  and  John  be- 
thought themselves  to  ask  the  name  of  the  country ;  a 
thing,  the  which,  if  they  had  done  at  the  outset,  and 
then  examined  their  chart  and  instructions,  they  never 
would  have  left  the  ship,  nor  got  into  this  difficulty. 
And,  indeed,  the  moment  they  were  told  that  this 
itself  was  the  high  and  mighty  country  of  Self-Con- 
ceit,  they  seemed  like  men  amazed,  but  brought  to 
their  senses.  They  remembered  now  with  shame 
their  foolish  feelings  of  elation  on  coming  up  the 
river,  and  they  sat  down  by  the  wayside,  and  wept 
for  very  anguish  at  the  manner  in  which  they  had 
neglected  the  precious  heavenly  instructions  of  their 
King,  and  even  had  began  almost  to  despise  their 
own  humble  and  lowly  views,  when  with  contrite 
hearts  they  had  waited  on  him,  and  trembled  at  his 
"Word. 

And  now  they  were  reduced  to  great  straits,  and 


FOR  JACK   IN   THE   DOLDKUMS.  41 

wished  they  had  never  left  their  vessel,  and  began  to 
despair  of  ever  getting  back,  especially  as  a  change 
of  weather  set  in,  and  the  rains  fell  in  torrents,  and 
the  roads  became  almost  impassable.  For  though 
the  ways  of  that  region  were  well  enough  in  dry  and 
pleasant  weather,  yet  in  the  rainy  season  they  were 
nothing  but  a  great  bog.  So  the  pilgrims  again  and 
again  were  plunged  almost  to  destruction  in  pits  and 
quagmires,  and  once  or  twice  they  were  nearly  lost  in 
fording  streams.  They  lost  the  way  entirely,  and 
could  find  no  person  in  all  that  region  who  so  much 
as  knew  the  river  where  their  ship  lay.  So  they 
wept  and  mourned,  and  besought  God  to  have  mercy 
upon  them. 

They  thought  now,  that  any  storm  at  sea  was 
better  to  be  endured'  than  such  misery.  They 
thought,  if  they  could  once  get  back  to  the  ves- 
sel, they  never  would  leave  it  again,  no,  not  for  a 
day,  on  any  consideration.  They  sometimes  thought 
it  would  even  have  been  better  for  them,  if  they  were 
back  to  their  native  land,  so  as  to  take  a  new  start, 
for  they  felt  that  so  far  from  making  progress  towards 
the  Celestial  City,  they  had  gone  a  great  way  back- 
ward. Their  pride  was  most  effectually  humbled 
and  broken,  and  with  contrite  hearts  they  struggled 
towards  the  quarter  where  they  believed  the  ship 
lay. 


i 


42  A   KEEL   IN   A  BOTTLE, 

Ah  Peter,  said  John  to  his  brother,  as  they  were 
painfully  working  on  in  that  direction,  this  will  be 
sad  stuff  to  put  in  our  log-book.  "Who  would  have 
thought  that  a  few  steps  could  have  led  us  so  far  out 
of  the  way  ? 

A  few  steps  indeed,  said  Peter,  I  think  we  have 
taken  a  great  many,  and  the  very  first  was  wrong. 
What  business  had  we,  sailors,  to  leave  the  ship  at 
all,  and  go  cruising  up  a  strange  country,  no  where 
laid  down  in  any  of  the  King's  charts  as  lying  in  our 
way,  and  no  commission  given  us  to  visit  it  ? 

Alas,  returned  John,  there  is  no  excuse  for  us,  and 
for  my  part,  I  am  heartily  sickened  at  the  remem- 
brance of  such  amazing  folly,  and  self-delusion,  and 
self-conceit,  when  I  thought  I  was  going  on  to  great 
attainments.  O  how  rightly  is  this  land  named  !  A 
man  becomes  a  fool  the  moment  he  breathes  the 
climate.  Just  in  proportion  to  my  lofty  imaginings, 
I  was  going  astray.  Kow,  I  hate  the  very  thoughts 
of  it.  Though  I  were  perfect,  yet  would  I  not  know 
my  soul ;  1  would  despise  my  life.11 

Well,  said  Peter,  hold  on  there.  I  think  this 
experience  will  not  rot,  if  ever  we  get  back  to  the 
ship.  If  you  ever  see  me  getting  proud  again, 
remind  me  of  it.  But  I  am  afraid  of  all  my  sorrows, 
and  I  know  that  God  will  not  hold  me  innocent.  If 

11  Job  be.  21. 


FOR   JACK   IN   THE   DOLDKUMS.  43 

I  wash  myself  with  snow-water,  and  make  my  hands 
never  so  clean,  yet  shalt  thou  plunge  me  in  the  ditch, 
and  mine  own  clothes  shall  abhor  me.15 

And  yet,  only  just  think  of  it,  answered  John. 
How  easy  to  go  astray,  without  great  watching ! 
Lord,  have  mercy  on  us !  I  believe  at  the  very  first, 
it  was  only  the  indulgence  of  an  idle  curiosity  ;  but  it 
makes  me  think  of  the  saying,  Behold  how  great  a 
matter  a  little  fire  kindleth  !1S  Alas  !  shall  we  ever 
get  back  ?  O  how  justly  might  the  Lord  leave  us  to 
wander  here  for  ever,  in  a  land  of  darkness,  as  dark- 
ness itself,  and  of  the  shadow  of  death  without  any 
order,  and  where  the  light  is  as  darkness.14 

Most  justly  he  might,  my  dear  brother,  added 
Peter,  and  it  is  only  because  he  is  a  forgiving  God 
and  Saviour,  that  he  does  not.  But  I  hope  we  are  on 
the  right  track  now,  though  the  night  is  coming,  and 
it  must  be  another  day  before  we  see  the  way  back, 
if  we  ever  do  see  it.  But  is  there  not  a  passage  that 
says,  Seek  the  Lord  and  ye  shall  live  ?15  I  am  sure 
if  we  seek  him,  we  shall  find  him. 

Yes,  said  John,  but  the  passage  says  also,  Seek 
not  Bethel,  nor  enter  into  Gilgal,  and  pass  not  to 
Beersheba.16  Now  I  think  we  have  just  neglected 
what  we  ought  to  have  done,  and  done  what  we 

« 

"  Job  ix.  28,  30, 31 .      13  James  iii.  5.     "  Job  x.  22.     15  Amos  v.  6. 
18  Amos  v.  5- 


44.  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

ought  not.  These  places  where  we  have  been  wan- 
dering are  as  Bethel  and  Gilgal  to  us,  full  of  trans- 
gressions. But  the  passage  says  also,  Seek  him  that 
maketh  the  seven  stars  and  Orion,  and  turneth  the 
shadow  of  death  into  the  morning.17  I  see  the  seven 
stars  even  now,  in  the  fall  of  the  evening ;  and  God, 
who  made  them,  will  not  forsake  us,  though  we  have 
sinned  against  him.  So  let  us  not  despair. 

No,  said  Peter,  not  even  if  we  die  here.  But  the 
words  come  into  my  mind,  Come  and  let  us  return 
unto  the  Lord  ;  for  he  hath  torn,  and  he  will  heal  us  ; 
he  hath  smitten,  and  he  will  bind  us  up.  He  will 
revive  us,  and  we  shall  live  in  his  sight.18 

"Well,  said  John,  that  is  encouraging,  and  so  is 
what  follows ;  Then  shall  we  know,  if  we  follow  on 
to  know  the  Lord,  His  going  forth  is  prepared  as  the 
morning,  and  he  shall  come  unto  us  as  the  rain.1' 

And  is  there  not  also  such  a  passage  as  this? 
answered  Peter,  I  will  heal  their  backslidings.2'  And 
even  if  there  were  not,  has  not  the  Lord  Jesus  said, 
Him  that  cometh  unto  me  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out.21 
Now  returning  is  coming,  and  if.  we  return,  we  shall 
be  revived  ;  and  I  am  sure  we  have  got  a  lesson  that 
will  last  us  many  a  day. 

Thus  they  went  on  talking ;  but  the  greater  part 

r  Amos  v.  8.        w  Hos.  vi.  12.        "  Hos.  vi.  3.        *°  Hos.  xiv  4 
"John  vi.  37. 


FOB  JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  45 

of  that  night  was  spent  in  prayer,  and  they  got  but 
little  rest,  and  with  the  earliest  dawn  they  were  on 
their  way  again. 

And  oh  how  their  hearts  were  rejoiced,  when, 
about  sunset  that  same  day,  they  caught  a  sight  of 
the  ship  and  of  the  river  from  a  rising  ground  to 
which  they  had  clambered.  They  fell  on  their  knees 
and  gave  thanks  to  God,  and  then  hastened  on 
board. 

There  they  found  that  during  their  absence  a  great 
trade  had  been  going  on  between  ship  and  shore,  so 
that  some  of  the  most  valuable  of  the  goods  that  had 
been  laid  in  for  their  sea-voyage  were  gone,  and  the 
hold  was  almost  filled  with  strange  productions. 
Some  of  their  gold,  silver,  and  precious  stones,  had 
been  paid  away  for  quantities  of  wood,  hay,  and 
stubble ;  for  the  crew  were  under  a  singular  delusion, 
and  thought  these  latter  things  of  more  value ;  and 
indeed  if  they  had  gone  on  much  longer,  every 
precious  thing  on  board  would  have  been  thrown 
away,  and  its  place  supplied  with  whimwhams  and 
vanities  from  the  country  of  Self-Conceit. 

And  now  they  had  great  perplexity  how  to  get 
back  to  the  sea.  For  the  wind  continued  all  the 
while  without  any  change,  blowing  up  river,  so  that 
it  was  quite  impossible,  by  any  use  of  sails  or  rudder 
to  move  down  stream.  They  were  compelled  to  get 


t 


46  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

out  the  boats,  for  there  was  no  time  to  be  spent  in 
waiting  for  a  wind,  and  indeed  they  might  have  been 
waiting  there  to  this  day,  had  they  done  it ;  for  the 
wind  in  the  country  of  Self-Conceit  always  blows  on 
shore,  and  at  the  season  they  were  then  in,  the 
weather  keeps  the  people  shut  up  to  themselves  ;  and 
though  sails  are  often  seen  passing  up  the  river,  they 
are  seldom  seen  returning.  So  they  made  haste  to 
man  the  boats ;  and  all  the  long  way  that  they  had 
come  up  under  a  fair  swift  breeze,  with  all  sail  set, 
they  had  to  tow  back  the  ship,  with  great  toil  and 
pains,  by  rowing.  It  was  slow  and  fatiguing  work,  to 
such  a  degree,  that  sometimes  they  were  ready  to 
give  up  in  despair.  Moreover,  once  or  twice  the 
-  inhabitants  of  the  country  tried  to  interfere  with 
them,  to  stop  their  progress,  and  even  fired  on  them ; 
but  they  took  no  notice  in  return,  and  made  all  the 
haste  possible  towards  the  sea. 

And  at  length  they  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  the 
river,  and  were  rejoicing  to  think  how  soon  they 
would  be  again  upon  the  King's  highway,  when  all 
of  a  sudden  the  ship  grounded  heavily  on  a  bar  of 
sand  that  was  not  visible  even  at  low  water,  and 
with  all  their  efforts,  they  could  not  get  her  off. 
The  winds  and  storms,  together  with  the  strong 
currents,  are  continually  in  that  place  shifting  the 
sands,  so  that  great  shoals  had  been  formed,  which 


FOE   JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  47 

were  not  there  when  they  entered  the  river,  and  of 
which  of  course  they  were  wholly  unconscious,  till 
the  ship  struck  upon  them.  All  these  things,  as  they 
found  to  their  cost,  made  it  very  easy  getting  into 
the  country  of  Self-Conceit,  but  very  difficult  escaping 
from  it.  All  the  cargo  that  had  been  taken  in  up 
river,  such  as  hampers  of  the  various  productions  of 
the  country,  they  had  to  throw  overboard,  and  even 
the  water-casks  had  to  be  stove,  and  only  the  rem- 
nant of  water  retained,  which  was  in  the  ship  before 
they  entered  the  river. 

And  even  then,  the  ship  was  not  lightened 
enough,  to  float ;  and  there  they  must  have  remained, 
getting  deeper  and  deeper  imbedded  in  the  sand, 
had  it  not  been  that  so  near  the  sea  the  tide  flowed 
high,  and  most  happily  for  them  was  going  low 
when  they  struck  the  bar,  so  that,  if  it  rose  high 
enough,  the  next  tide,  after  all  that  they  had  done 
in  the  lighting  of  the  ship,  might  float  her. 

And  so  it  came  about.  The  tide  rose  high,  and 
accomplished  for  them  what  no  human  force  could 
have  done  without  it.  They  passed  over  the  bar  in 
safety ;  and  now,  as  the  wind  began  already  to  veer 
a  little  in  their  favor,  they  took  in  the  boats,  trimmed 
their  sails,  and  casting  themselves  on  the  care  of  the 
Great  King,  whose  highway  they  had  gained,  in  a  few 
hours  they  were  joyfully  tossing  on  the  open  sea. 


CHAPTER  IE. 

EXPERIENCE    OF    STORMS,     AND    THE    HARBOR     OP 
GOOD   HOPE. 

FOR  some  days  they  enjoyed  the  most  serene  and 
lovely  weather,  and  were  able  to  lay  their  course 
South,  towards  the  trade-winds,  where  an  old  in- 
spired navigator  had  said  that  the  righteous  shall 
hold  on  his  way,  and  he  that  hath  clean  hands  shall 
be  stronger  and  stronger.1  Also  another  navigator 
in  describing  the  same  passage  had  said,  The  path 
of  the  just  is  as  the  shining  light,  that  shineth  more 
and  more  unto  the  perfect  day.8  They  had  now  an 
interval  of  comparative  rest  and  leisure,  which  they 
employed  in  putting  things  to  rights,  for  the  ship 
had  been  sadly  neglected  while  she  lay  in  that  river, 
which  they  found,  on  examination,  to  have  been 
laid  down  as  the  Eiver  of  Yain  Confidence.  They 
had  some  hard  work  in  overhauling  their  log,  and 

1  Job  xvii.  9.  a  Prov.  iv.  18. 


A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE,    ETC.  49 

correcting  the  mistakes  that  had  been  made  in  their 
reckoning.  Both  Peter  and  John  kept  a  separate 
journal  for  the  sake  of  mutual  comparison  and 
benefit,  and  it  was  while  they  were  at  work  upon 
these  and  other  matters,  that  one  day  on  deck,  while 
the  vessel  was  gliding  steadily  onward  under  a  fine 
breeze,  they  had  the  following  conversation  : — 

I  think,  said  Peter,  it  is  a  great  wonder  and 
miracle  of  mercy  that  we  got  safe  out  from  that 
country  of  Self-Conceit,  and  still  more,  that  we  were 
not  buried  for  ever  among  the  quicksands  of  the 
River  of  Yain  Confidence.  O  what  a  narrow  escape 
from  destruction !  And  the  sin  and  the  danger  were 
all  our  own  fault,  for  we  might  have  known  better. 
I'm  thinking  what  we  can  do  to  avoid  such  errors  for 
the  future ;  since  we  ought  to  have  known  by  the  log 
and  chart  together,  when  we  were  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  coast  of  that  country ;  and  if  we  had 
known,  I  hope  God  would  not  have  left  us  to  such 
madness  as  that  of  running  deliberately  into  danger. 

"Well,  I  don't  know  as  to  that,  answered  John  ;  but 
I  do  know  that  a  man  will  go  anywhere,  into  any 
folly,  if  left  to  himself,  so  that  he  needs  to  have  God 
search  him  continually,  and  show  him  what  manner 
of  spirit  he  is  of.  It  is  pretty  clear  that  a  more 
faithful  self-examination  is  needed.  My  iog-book  is 
a  sad  sight,  and  it  teaches  me  some  very  mournful 


50  A   BEEL   IN  A  BOTTLE, 

lessons,  especially  of  late  days ;  but  I  would  not  be 
without  it  for  a  great  deal,  for  it  helps  me  to  survey 
the  dealings  of  the  Lord  with  me,  and  is  encouraging 
as  well  as  humbling. 

I  have  heard  of  a  fine  young  sailor,  said  Peter, 
who  having  read  some  things  written  by  a  grave  old 
Salt  in  a  tract  concerning  the  log-book,  conceived  the 
idea  that  it  could  never  be  made  a  simple  record  of 
the  work  of  grace,  but  the  devil  would  have  much  to 
do  with  it.  It  distressed  him  exceedingly,  and  made 
him  so  scrupulous  that  he  one  day  put  into  the  fire  a 
whole  log  of  experiences  very  precious  and  sweet  to 
him,  because  he  was  afraid  of  sin  in  keeping  it.  And 
the  consequence  was  that  afterwards,  the  devil,  who 
as  a  roaring  lion  goeth  about,  seeking  whom  he  may 
devour,3  attacked  the  poor  lad  in  a  storm,  and  for 
want  of  that  log  almost  succeeded  in  making  him 
believe  that  he  had  never  been  in  those  seas,  nor  ever 
even  set  sail  from  his  native  country. 

"Well,  said  John,  it  is  good,  and  Satan  knows  it,  to 
record  the  Lord's  goodness,  and  have  it  in  remem- 
brance. I  know  how  Jacob  used  to  do,  for  want  of 
better  materials.  He  set  up  an  altar  at  Bethel, 
where  the  Lord  appeared  to  him,  and  when  he  had 
wrestled  with  the  angel  and  prevailed,  he  called  the 
name  of  that  place  Peniel,  because  he  had  seen  the 

*  i  Pet.  v.  s. 


FOB   JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  51 

Lord  face  to  face,  and  his  life  was  preserved.4  And 
David  also  used  to  set  up  such  way-marks,  and  when 
he  was  very  much  cast  down  and  discouraged  by 
present  difficulties,  he  used  to  go  back  and  consider 
them.5  He  made  a  record  of  the  battle  with  the  lion 
and  the  bear,  and  when  Saul  tried  to  prevent  him 
from  fighting  with  Goliah,  what  does  he  but  just  turn 
over  to  that  page  in  his  log-book,  and  reads  the 
account  to  Saul,  and  tells  him  that  the  same  God  who 
delivered  him  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  lion  and  the 
bear,  wrould  give  him  the  victory  over  that  uncircum- 
cised  Philistine.8  Why !  I  wouldn't  burn  such  a  his- 
tory on  any  account,  if  I  had  it.  But  indeed  I  pity 
the  poor  dear  fellow  you  speak  of,  if  Satan  had  the 
handling  of  him  in  a  storm.  It  is  bad  enough  in 
clear  weather. 

Why,  said  Peter,  it  is  the  storm  that  Satan  takes 
for  some,  and  the  calm  for  others,  according  to  what 
he  knows  of  things  aboard  ship.  If  the  crew  are 
much  at  their  ease,  he  will  come  any  time.  But  to 
my  thinking,  we  must  take  better  care  of  our  reckon- 
ing, keep  a  better  look-out,  and  have  the  log  over- 
hauled daily.  It  wont  do  to  give  Satan  the  advan- 
tage, seeing  we  know  so  well  how  he  works. 

Just  then,  though  it  had  been  such  fine  weather 
before,  a  bank  of  clouds  began  to  bo  visible  in  the 

4  Gen.  xxxii.  30.         6  Psa.  xlii.  6.         *  1  Sam.  xvii.  37. 


52  A   REEL  IN   A   BOTTLE, 

horizon,  and  there  was  a  sound  like  the  muttering 
of  distant  thunder.  Also  the  breeze  fell,  and  the  air 
round  about  seemed  to  stand  stock  still,  as  if  it  were 
waiting  for  something  like  an  earthquake.  This  put 
Peter  and  John  on  the  alert,  and  running  to  the 
barometer,  they  found  the  mercury  falling,  so  that  at 
once  they  ordered  all  sail  taken  in,  and  everything  on 
board  ship  made  as  tight  as  possible.  The  hatches 
were  battened  down,  and  all  was  prepared,  as  well  as 
could  be,  for  a  storm,  since  they  knew  not  how  heavy 
it  might  come,  nor  how  long  it  might  last.  And 
come  it  did  with  great  violence,  so  that  there  was  no 
time  to  lose;  for  the  gale  swept  like  a  whirlwind,  and 
had  there  been  anything  left  exposed  for  the  wind  to 
get  hold  of,  it  seemed  as  though  the  masts  would 
have  been  taken  out  of  the  ship  bodily. 

The  conflict  of  the  elements  was  terrible.  Some- 
times the  rain  poured  down  as  if  the  whole  heavens 
had  burst,  and  the  thunder  roared,  and  the  lightning 
flashed  incessantly.  Then  again  it  seemed  as  if  the 
wind  itself  would  beat  both  thunder  and  lightning. 
Not  a  word  could  be  heard  on  board  ship,  and  such 
a  sea  was  raised,  that  the  like  of  it  they  had  never 
seen,  nor  even  imagined  possible. 

Nevertheless,  they  would  perhaps  have  gone 
through  it  unharmed,  if  it  had  not  been  for  a  little 
negligence  at  the  helm,  which  just  then  needed  the 


FOB   JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  53 

greatest  strength  and  watchfulness.  For  a  slight 
sheer  in  the  steering  brought  the  broadside  of  a  wave 
upon  them  with  such  tremendous  violence,  that 
almost  everything  went  by  the  board.  The  bulwarks 
were  wrenched  down,  and  the  whole  companion  way 
was  carried  off,  so  that  the  water  rushed  into  the 
cabin  and  nearly  filled  it.  The  next  moment  the 
foremast  was  carried  short  off  near  the  deck,  notwith- 
standing that  not  a  rag  of  canvas  had  been  left 
exposed  to  the  tempest. 

Then  said  Peter,  and  he  could  not  help  groaning 
it  aloud,  so  that  John  heard  him,  All  thy  waves  and 
thy  billows  are  gone  over  me  !T  But  John  held  his 
peace,  for  he  was  afraid  of  discouraging  the  crew, 
if  they  gave  way  themselves  as  in  terror;  but  he 
thought  at  one  time  the  end  had  come.  Then  he  said 
within  himself,  Thy  way  is  in  the  sea,  and  thy  path 
in  the  great  waters,  and  thy  footsteps  are  not  known." 
And  the  words  came  to  him,  When  I  said  my  foot 
slippeth,  thy  mercy,  O  Lord,  held  me  up.  In  the 
multitude  of  my  thoughts  within  me,  thy  comforts 
delight  my  soul.9  So  they  both  looked  to  God  with 
strong  crying  and  tears,  for  they  were  in  very  great 
danger. 

The  storm  did  not  abate,  the  night  came  down  in 
pitch  darkness,  and  everything  was  gloomy.  To  add 

'Psa.  xlii.  7.  "Psa.  Ixxvii.  19.  9Psa.  xciv.  18,  19. 


54  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

to  their  distress,  the  ship,  which  had  seemed  to  have 
suffered  no  injury  in  her  timbers,  began  evidently  to 
leak,  for  on  sounding,  they  found  several  feet  of  water 
in  the  hold.  And  now  for  the  first  time  it  occurred 
to  Peter  and  John  that  she  must  have  been  weak- 
ened in  some  way,  while  grounded  on  the  bar  in  the 
River  of  Yain  Confidence;  but  all  they  could  now 
do  was  to  work  at  the  pumps. 

And  here  again  they  were  terribly  disheartened, 
and  all  hope  seemed  about  to  be  taken  from  them ; 
for  though  one  of  the  pumps  worked  well,  yet  the 
other  was  nearly  useless,  and  on  trying  to  discover 
the  cause,  they  found  that  a  parcel  of  grain,  which 
had  been  taken  on  board  in  the  country  of  Self- 
Conceit,  having  been  deposited  near  the  bottom  of 
the  pump,  and  not  at  all  cleared  away,  had  swollen 
and  choked  the  spaces,  so  that  the  water  would  not 
draw. 

Now  among  the  crew  there  were  two  named  Con- 
trition and  Sincere,  and  they  at  once  confessed  that 
they  remembered  the  putting  in  of  that  grain,  and 
had  themselves  had  a  hand  in  it,  and  if  any  soul  on 
board  could  get  at  it,  it  was  they.  So  they  volun- 
teered, at  great  hazard  and  difficulty,  because  work- 
ing in  the  hold  was  almost  impossible  at  such  a 
time,  to  get  the  evil  out  of  the  way.  And  indeed 
they  labored  with  such  despairing  energy,  that  after 


FOB   JACK    IN   THE   DOLDEUMS.  55 

a  while  they  did  succeed  in  reaching  the  source  of  the 
trouble,  and  were  so  far  enabled  to  remove  it,  that  the 
pumps  worked  freely,  and  the  ship  was  eased. 

But  the  leaks  were  not  to  be  got  at,  for  it  was  no 
large  leak,  but  a  general  injury,  the  effect  of  which 
would  inevitably  continue,  while  the  ship  labored  so 
heavily,  in  such  a  tremendous  sea.  All  they  could 
do,  therefore,  was  to  keep  the  pumps  going,  day  and 
night,  which  cost  them  incessant  fatigue,  so  that  they 
were  almost  dead  from  exhaustion.  Then,  too,  there 
was  not  a  dry  place  in  the  ship,  where  they  could 
rest  for  an  hour's  sleep,  but  sleeping  or  waking  they 
were  wet  and  uncomfortable.  And  what  between 
the  storm  and  their  own  labors,  the  pressure  was  so 
great,  that  they  had  hardly  time  so  much  as  to  eat, 
and  nothing  could  be  cooked  for  them,  so  that  their 
knees  grew  weak  through  fasting,  and  they  thought  if 
things  continued  in  this  state  much  longer,  they 
should  be  reduced  to  utter  despair.  But  they  hoped 
they  had  seen  the  worst,  though  still  the  storm  seemed 
unabated  in  its  fury. 

But  all  this  wrhile  they  had  been  driving  before  the 
tempest,  not  knowing  where  they  were,  nor  how  far 
they  had  gone,  nor  whether  they  were  near  any  land 
or  not ;  and  as  to  steering  a  direct  course,  it  was 
almost  impossible,  though  they  did  what  they  could 
to  keep  the  ship's  head  to  the  wind,  in  the  direction 


56  A  KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

of  the  Celestial  Country,  for  they  were  manifestly 
driving  swiftly,  somewhere  or  other,  and  well  they 
knew  that  there  was  no  help  for  them  but  in  him  who 
brought  his  people  through  the  sea  and  through  the 
wilderness.10 

So  they  cried  unto  the  Lord,  Cause  me  to 
know  the  way  wherein  I  should  walk  ;  hear  me 
speedily,  O  Lord,  my  spirit  faileth ;  hide  not  thy 
face  from  me,  lest  I  be  like  them  that  go  down  into 
the  pit.11  They  resolved,  if  the  ship  must  founder, 
they  would  go  down  heading  towards  the  Celestial 
City.  Then  they  thought  they  heard  a  voice,  When 
thou  passest  through  the  waters,  I  will  be  with 
thee  ;12  and  they  remembered  the  promise,  Who  is 
among  you  that  feareth  the  Lord,  that  obeyeth  the 
voice  of  his  servant,  that  walketh  in  darkness  and 
hath  no  light?  Let  him  trust  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord,  and  stay  upon  his  God.13  They  thought  also, 
if  the  case  was  thus  provided  for,  of  those  who  were 
walking  in  darkness  without  light,  that  neither  the 
absence  of  light,  nor  the  presence  of  darkness,  nor 
any  of  their  perplexities  or  difficulties,  were  in  them- 
selves any  proof  that  the  Lord  had  deserted  them, 
but  rather  a  proof  that  he  was  only  trying  them,  to 
see  if  they  would  stay  themselves  on  him.  * 

So  they  held  on,  hoping,  though  it  seemed  to  be 

30  Psa.  cxxxvi.  16.      "  Psa.  cxliii.  7,  8.     w  Isa.  xliii.  2.     "  Isa.  1.  10. 


FOR   JACK    IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  57 

against  hope,  and  they  knew  not  what  was  before 
them.  But  about  midnight,  some  of  the  shipmen 
were  convinced  that  they  drew  near  to  some  land, 
and  some  of  them  even  thought  they  could  see  the 
breakers  on  the  coast.  So  they  sounded,  and  found 
it  about  twenty  fathoms,  and  when  they  had  gone  a 
little  further,  they  sounded  again,  and  found  it  about 
fifteen  fathoms ;  and  then,  fearing  lest  they  should 
strike,  they  cast  out  their  best  bower  anchor,  and 
wished  for  the  day.14 

For  a  time  it  was  doubtful  whether  the  anchor 
itself  would  hold,  and  if  not,  or  if  the  cable  parted, 
then  all  was  lost ;  so  they  were  in  great  anxiety  and 
trembling.  Besides,  the  day  was  long  coming,  and 
the  ship  rose  and  fell  with  such  tremendous  violence, 
laboring  heavily,  that  some  of  the  shipmen,  who  had 
held  out  to  this  hour,  began  to  be  seized  with  terror, 
and  lost  their  wits  to  such  a  degree  as  to  imagine 
that  by  deserting  the  ship  and  taking  to  the  boats, 
they  might  stand  some  chance  of  salvation,  for  it 
seemed  as  if  they  must  perish,  and  the  great  adver- 
sary put  very  black  thoughts  into  the  minds  of  some 
of  them,  so  that  they  were  even  tempted  to  cast 
themselves  overboard  headlong. 

But  Peter  and  John  with  their  own  hands  cut  the 
boats  loose,  and  let  them  fall  off,  and  convinced  the 

14  Acts  xxvii.  28,  29. 


58  A    REEL   IN  A  BOTTLE, 

crew  that  come  what  might,  except  they  abode  by 
the  ship  they  could  not  be  saved.16  Then  they  called 
the  whole  ship's  company  together,  and  earnestly 
commended  them  all  to  God,  and  after  a  season 
spent  in  weeping  and  praying  together,  they  felt 
that  if  it  pleased  the  Lord  that  they  should  perish  in 
the  midst  of  their  voyage,  they  would  leave  them- 
selves with  him,  and  to  their  last  breath  would  try  to 
be  faithful  to  him.  Then  they  took  some  meat,  and 
Peter  took  bread,  and  gave  thanks  to  God,  in  the 
presence  of  them  all,  and  said,  Into  thy  hands  I  com- 
mend my  spirit ;  thou  hast  redeemed  me,  O  Lord 
God  of  truth.18  Also  he  repeated  the  words  of 
Habakkuk,  Yet  I  will  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  I  will  joy 
in  the  God  of  my  salvation." 

Now  by  this  time  the  day  began  to  break,  and  to 
their  great  encouragement  a  streak  of  the  sky  was  to 
be  seen  in  the  horizon,  just  in  that  quarter  where  the 
hurricane  with  which  the  storm  began  had  arisen, 
and  as  the  light  grew  brighter  it  became  very  evident 
that  the  tempest  was  broken.  Then  said  John,  as  he 
pointed  to  the  morning  star  through  a  rift  in  the 
clouds  that  were  hurrying  away,  Weeping  may 
endure  for  a  night,  but  joy  cometh  in  the  morning.1* 
Nevertheless,  they  were  still  sorely  afflicted,  and  they 

11  Acts  xxvii.  31.    "  Psa.  xxxi.  5.     "  Hab.  iii.  18.     K  Psa.  xxx.  5. 


FOR  JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  59 

felt  that  God  bad  taken  them  out  of  the  very  jaws 
of  destruction,  and  how  it  would  end  even  yet  they 
knew  not. 

However,  as  the  gale  abated,  the  sea  went  down, 
and  as  soon  as  it  became  clear,  they  found  they  had 
been  driven  a  great  way  during  the  tempest,  but  not 
so  much  out  of  the  way  as  they  had  feared,  for  they 
were  not  for  from  an  admirable  and  safe  harbor 
called  Good  Hope  Harbor,  situated  at  the  bottom  of 
a  bay  called  the  Bay  of  Good  Hope,  where  was  one 
of  the  King's  own  dockyards,  and  a  dry  dock,  built 
by  order  of  the  King  himself,  after  a  pattern  sent 
from  the  Celestial  Country. 

This  Harbor  and  Bay  lay  in  the  middle  of  a 
coast  of  great  reach  called  Experience,  past  a  part 
of  which  they  had  been  driven ;  and  as  the  wind 
was  now  fair  for  rounding  the  point,  within  which 
they  had  been  carried  to  their  present  anchorage, 
they  shook  out  their  sails,  weighed  anchor,  and 
trimmed  their  course  to  gain  the  favorable  shelter. 
They  were  not  long  in  reaching  it,  notwithstanding 
the  leaky  condition  of  their  vessel ;  and  here  in  the 
harbor  of  Good  Hope  they  found  a  friendly  people, 
and  everything  necessary  for  examining  their  injuries, 
and  refitting.  The  people  of  the  town  were  under 
the  King's  laws,  and  had  orders  from  him  to  use 


60  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

hospitality  without  grudging,1*  a  thing  which  they 
were  also  forward  to  do. 

But  here  the  first  thing  they  did,  before  coming  to 
anchor,  and  while  sailing  into  the  Harbor,  with  the 
town  rising  in  its  beauty  before  them — a  sight  which 
made  the  tears  run  down  their  cheeks  for  gratitude 
and  joy — the  first  thing  they  did  was  to  offer  up  a 
heartfelt  and  solemn  thanksgiving  to  God  for  the  great 
deliverance  he  had  granted  them  out  of  so  many 
dangers.  They  sang  a  hymn,  and  the  sweet  melody 
had  their  hearts  in  it,  and  went  up  with  so  divine  a 
harmony  on  the  quiet  air,  in  the  bright  day,  as  they 
glided  over  the  still  waters,  that  the  people  on  the 
shore  left  off  their  work  and  listened,  and  others 
came  down  to  see  what  new  arrival  was  thus  her- 
alded ;  for  they  thought  some  messenger-ship  might 
have  come  to  them  from  the  Islands  of  the  Angels. 
The  hymn  they  sang  was  one  that  had  been  written 
by  a  shipwrecked  mariner,  whom  God  had  rescued 
from  the  deep,  and  never  were  sweeter  strains  heard 
upon  the  ocean. 

God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way 

His  wonders  to  perform ; 
He  plants  his  footsteps  in  the  sea, 

And  rides  upon  the  storm. 

19 1  Pet.  iv.  9. 


FOK  JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  61 

Deep  in  unfathomable  mines 

Of  never-failing  skill, 
He  treasures  up  his  bright  designs, 

And  works  his  sovereign  will. 

Ye  fearful  saints  fresh  courage  take ; 

The  clouds  ye  so  much  dread 
Are  big  with  mercy,  and  shall  break 

In  blessings  on  your  head. 

Judge  not  the  Lord  by  feeble  sense, 

But  trust  him  for  his  grace ; 
Behind  a  frowning  providence 

He  hides  a  smiling  face. 

His  purposes  will  ripen  fast, 

Unfolding  every  hour ; 
The  bud  may  have  a  bitter  taste, 

But  sweet  will  be  the  flower. 

Blind  unbelief  is  sure  to  err, 

And  scan  his  work  in  vain ; 
God  is  his  own  Interpreter, 

And  he  will  make  it  plain. 

After  the  singing  of  this  hymn,  there  was  read  a 
part  of  the  107th  Psalm,  which  is  an  exact  descrip- 
tion of  the  perils  through  which  God  had  brought 
them.  O  that  men  would  praise  the  Lord  for  his 
goodness,  and  for  his  wonderful  works  to  the  children 
of  men !  And  let  them  sacrifice  the  sacrifices  of 
thanksgiving,  and  declare  his  works  with  rejoicing. 
They  that  go  down  to  the  sea  in  ships,  that  do  busi- 


62  A    KEEL   IN   A    BOTTLE, 

ness  in  great  waters;  these  see  the  works  of  the  Lord, 
and  his  wonders  in  the  deep.  For  he  commandeth, 
and  raiseth  the  stormy  wind,  and  lifteth  up  the 
waves  thereof.  They  mount  up  to  the  heavens,  they 
go  down  again  to  the  depths;  their  soul  is  melted 
because  of  trouble.  They  reel  to  and  fro,  and  stagger 
like  a  drunken  man,  and  are  at  their  wit's  end. 
Then  they  cry  unto  the  Lord  in  their  trouble,  and  he 
bringeth  them  out  of  their  distress.  He  maketh  the 
storm  a  calm,  so  that  the  waves  thereof  are  still. 
Then  are  they  glad,  because  they  be  quiet ;  so  he 
bringeth  them  unto  their  desired  haven.  Oh  that 
men  would  praise  the  Lord  for  his  goodness,  and  for 
his  wonderful  works  to  the  children  of  men  ! 

At  this  the  heart  of  every  one  of  them  responded, 
and  they  said  within  themselves,  When  he  giveth 
quietness,  who  then  can  make  trouble  ?  And  when 
he  hideth  his  face,  who  then  can  behold  him  ?"°  If 
God  will  not  withdraw  his  anger,  the  proud  helpers 
do  stoop  under  him.51  They  also  sang  another  sweet 
hymn  of  praise,  which  they  called  the  Star  of 
Bethlehem. 

When  marshalled  on  the  nightly  plain 
The  glittering  host  bestud  the  sky, 
One  star  alone,  of  all  the  train, 
Can  fix  the  sinner's  wandering  eye. 

90  Job  xxxiv.  29.  2I  Job  ix.  13. 


FOR   JACK    EN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  63 

Hark !  hark !  to  God  the  chorus  breaks, 
From  every  host,  from  every  gem ; 
But  one  alone  the  Saviour  speaks, 
It  is  the  Star  of  Bethlehem  ! 

Once  on  the  raging  seas  I  rode, 
The  storm  was  loud,  the  night  was  dark, 
The  ocean  yawned,  and  rudely  blowed 
The  wind  that  tossed  my  foundering  bark. 

Deep  horror,  then,  my  vitals  froze, 
Death-struck.  I  ceased  the  tide  to  stem, 
When  suddenly  a  star  arose, 
It  was  the  Star  of  Bethlehem  ! 

It  was  my  guide,  my  light,  my  all ; 

It  bade  my  dark  forebodings  cease ; 

And  through  the  storm,  and  danger's  thrall, 

It  led  me  to  the  port  of  peace. 

Now  safely  moored,  my  perils  o'er, 
I'll  sing,  first  in  night's  diadem, 
For  ever  and  for  ever  more, 
The  Star !  the  Star  of  Bethlehem ! 

~Now  while  they  were  singing, the  ship  drew  near 
the  land,  and  the  land-breeze  came  off  upon  the 
water  from  the  King's  gardens,  laden  with  such  a 
delicious  fragrance,  that  it  seemed  as  if  it  must  have 
come  to  them  directly  from  the  trees  of  life  in  the 
Celestial  Country.  And  indeed  the  change  was  so 
great  from  what  they  had  passed  through  to  such 
mercy,  that  it  was  as  if  the  dark  night  had  been  sue- 


64r  A   fiEEL   IN    A   BOTTLE, 

ceeded  bj  one  of  the  Days  of  Heaven,  and  all  the 
scenery  of  the  Celestial  "World  seemed  to  rise  up 
before  them.  Oh,  when  the  Redeemer  unveils  his 
lovely  face,  and  shines  upon  the  soul  in  forgiving 
mercy,  what  joy  on  earth  is  to  be  compared  with 
the  assurance  of  his  pardoning  love !  Thou  shalt 
forget  thy  misery,  exclaimed  Peter,  and  remember  it 
as  waters  that  pass  away;  and  thine  age  shall  be 
clearer  than  the  noon-day;  thou  shalt  shine  forth, 
thou  shalt  be  as  the  morning,  and  thou  shalt  be  secure, 
because  there  is  Hope." 

Well,  the  region  they  had  come  to  was  a  region 
of  hope,  and  the  inhabitants  of  that  place  were  all 
hopeful  and  happy,  and  they  had  good  right  to  be  so, 
because  there  was  a  very  close  communion  between 
their  town  and  the  Celestial  Country  in  many  ways. 
And  their  laws  were  laws  of  liberty  and  not  of  bon- 
dage ;  for  one  of  the  greatest  of  them  ran  as  follows  : 
The  law  of  the  Spirit  of  life  in  Christ  Jesus  hath 
made  me  free  from  the  law  of  sin  and  death."  It 
was  also  a  land  where  there  were  a  great  many  fugi- 
tives from  slavery ;  and  the  Adversary  was  forbidden 
to  reclaim  the  slave  that  had  escaped  from  him,  but 
the  moment  he  got  into  that  land  he  was  free ;  and 
there  was  a  grand  law  that  ran  as  follows  : — Thou 
shalt  not  deliver  unto  his  master  the  servant  which  is 

50  Job  xi.  16,  17,  18.  "Rom.  viii.  2. 


FOE   JACK    IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  65 

escaped  from  his  master  unto  thee;  he  shall  dwell 
with  thee,  even  among  you,  in  that  place  which  he 
shall  choose,  in  one  of  thy  gates,  where  it  liketh  him 
best ;  thou  shalt  not  oppress  him.24 

The  people  of  the  land  loved  this  law,  and  re- 
joiced in  it;  and  whenever  the  Great  Slaveholder 
appeared  among  them,  as  sometimes  he  did  in  cunning 
disguises,  to  get  back  his  victims,  or  whenever  any  of 
his  commissioners  or  catchers  were  detected  laying 
their  snares,  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  had  the  bells 
rung  for  alarm,  and  all  turned  out  in  one  body  ;  and 
if  any  of  the  villains  were  caught,  they  were  forthwith 
branded,  and  whipped  out  of  all  that  region.  So  it 
was  a  place  of  great  joy,  loving-kindness,  and 
security,  where  every  law  that  opposed  any  of  the 
King's  laws  was  put  down  at  once. 

Moreover,  the  geography  of  their  place  indicated 
its  security,  for  the  formations  of  the  coast  ran  into 
one  another  from  a  great  way  North,  in  the  following 
order,  namely,  Tribulation,  Patience,  Experience, 
Hope."  Then  there  was  a  wide  reach  of  beautiful 
open  country,  and  beyond  that  a  region  of  riches  and 
glory  that  since  the  creation  of  the  world  had  never 
been  fully  explored,  and  indeed  was  said  to  lose 
itself  in  an  unfathomable,  incomprehensible  sea,  from 
which  none  of  the  explorers  ever  returned,  but  passed 

94  Deut.  xxiii.  15,  16.  M  Rom.  v.  4. 


66  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

into  the  Celestial  Country  for  ever.  All  that  region, 
so  far  as  any  knew  anything  about  it  was  named,  THE 

LOVE  OF   GOD    IS    SHED  ABROAD   IN    OUR   HEARTS    BY   THE 

HOLY  GHOST  WHICH  is  GIVEN  UNTO  us.3'  There  were 
many  that  had  been  great  travellers  there,  but  the 
more  they  found  out,  the  more  they  always  found 
there  was  to  be  known,  so  that  they  came  back  very 
much  humbled  as  well  as  overjoyed  by  their  expe- 
rience. In  the  same  direction  on  the  Chart  of 
the  Ship,  was  found  this  description ;  Eye  hath  not 
seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  have  entered  into  the 
heart  of  man,  the  things  which  God  hath  prepared 
for  them  that  love  him  ;  but  God  hath  revealed  them 
unto  us  by  his  Spirit.27 

Here,  then,  the  Pilgrims  felt  themselves  at  liberty, 
because  there  was  no  mistake  about  the  country ;  and 
its  fruits  would  have  proved  where  they  were,  even 
the  things  of  the  Spirit,  if  their  instructions  had  not 
been  so  plain  that  there  was  no  danger  of  erring. 
Tet  the  trials  they  had  passed  through  had  made 
them  sober  and  watchful,  so  that  they  received  with 
a  chastened  mind  the  affectionate  and  friendly  greet- 
ings of  the  inhabitants.  The  utmost  kindness  was 
shown  to  them,  and  they  were  carried  up  to  the 
King's  gardens,  and  regaled  with  fresh  fruits,  and 

*  Rom.  v.  5.  ST 1  Cor.  ii.  9. 


FOE   JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  67 

they  had  much  sweet  and  loving  conversation  with 
those  who  accompanied  them. 

Here  also  the  ship's  crew  could  trade  with  the 
town's  people  without  danger;  and  besides  this,  a 
great  many  articles  were  brought  down  to  them  as 
gifts,  with  a  readiness  and  good  will  that  it  would 
have  done  one's  heart  good  to  see.  Here  a  very  pre- 
cious thing  called  the  Earnest  of  the  Spirit  was  given 
to  them,  and  they  were  instructed  to  prove  all  things, 
and  try  everything  by  the  truth,  and  to  hold  the 
beginning  of  their  confidence  and  the  rejoicing  of 
their  hope  firm  unto  the  end.28  And  that  they  might 
do  this  the  more  surely,  they  were  reminded  of  a 
well-known  rule  of  the  King,  that  he  that  hath  this 
hope  in  him  purifieth  himself  even  as  He  is  pure.89 

Here  also  they  had  the  Spirit  helping  their  infir- 
mities, and  they  found  their  hearts  drawn  out  in 
great  prayer,  and  in  such  yearnings  after  the  Celes- 
tial Country  as  could  not  be  uttered  ;  so  that,  although 
in  this  place  they  experienced  a  joy  unspeakable  and 
full  of  glory,  yet  they  had  no  mind  to  stay  any 
longer  than  was  requisite  for  the  refreshment  of  the 
ship's  crew,  and  the  refitting  of  their  vessel ;  and 
besides  these  inward  yearnings  of  the  Spirit,  they 
had  the  example  of  a  great  navigator  who  had  been 
in  this  Harbor,  to  forget  the  things  that  are  behind, 

MHeb.  iii.  6.  »  1  John  iii.  3. 


68  A  REEL   EST   A   BOTTLE, 

and  reach  forth  to  those  that  are  before.80  Where- 
fore they  desired  to  be  upon  their  way,  and  under 
the  King's  laws  they  laid  in  a  new  supply  of  fresh 
water,  and  a  quantity  of  provisions,  concerning  which 
they  had  orders  to  give  diligence,  and  to  have  them 
on  board  wherever  they  could  find  them,  adding  to 
their  faith  virtue,  and  to  virtue  knowledge,  and  to 
knowledge  temperance,  and  to  temperance  patience, 
and  to  patience  godliness,  and  to  godliness  brotherly 
kindness,  and  to  brotherly  kindness  charity  ;31  because 
the  success  of  their  voyage,  for  the  honor  of  the  King, 
and  the  manner  of  their  entrance  in  the  Celestial 
kingdom,  was  said  to  depend  upon  the  abundant  sup- 
ply of  these  things. 

To  supply  the  place  of  the  mast  that  had  been 
carried  away  by  the  storm,  they  put  in  a  new  mast 
from  the  King's  forests,  out  of  a  timber  called  the 
Saint's  Perseverance.  They  also  put  into  the  hold  a 
quantity  of  ballast  fetched  from  a  quarry  in  the 
neighborhood,  which  was  under  the  charge  of  two 
men  greatly  honored  by  the  King,  whose  names 
were  Humility  and  Self-Distrust,  for  they  had  found 
before-time  a  defect  in  the  ship's  sailing,  and  a  con- 
sequent danger,  in  case  of  any  sudden  squalls,  by 
reason  of  her  great  lightness  ;  a  thing  of  much  im- 
portance to  be  guarded  against ;  besides,  that  they 

10  PhU.  iii.  13.  "  2  Pet.  i.  5,  6,  7. 


FOB   JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  69 

could  not,  without  proper  ballast  of  this  kind,  turn 
the  vessel  advantageously  to  the  wind. 

Furthermore,  by  advice  of  the  authorities  of  the 
place  under  charge  from  the  King,  because  a  part  of 
the  seas  they  would  have  to  pass  through  were 
infested  with  pirates,  they  put  on  board  out  of  the 
King's  Armory  five  great  guns,  called  by  five  inscrip- 
tions engraven  upon  them,  as  follows : — RESIST  THE 

DEVIL  AND  HE  WILL  FLEE  FROM  YOU.32 WHO  SHALL  LAY 

ANYTHING  TO  THE  CHARGE  OF  GOD'S  ELECT  ?33 — WHO  SHALL 

SEPARATE  US   FROM  THE  LOVE   OF  CHRIST  f* WHO  IS  HE 

THAT  CONDEMNETH  ?35 — And,    IF    GoD   BE   FOR  ITS,    WHO 

SHALL  BE  AGAINST  us  ?36 — They  had  also  a  great  mortar, 
called  Promise,  with  bombs  and  ammunition,  and  a 
fire  engine  called  GRACE  TO  HELP  IN  TIME  OF  NEED." 
Two  of  the  best  boats  ever  builded  in  the  Harbor 
were  also  presented  to  them,  with  oars  for  sweeps 
made  out  of  a  strong  elastic  wood  called  Prevailing 
Prayer,  which  grew  in  great  abundance  in  the  King's 
forests,  and  was  the  best  stuff  that  ever  could  be 
used  for  such  purposes. 

33  James  iv.  7.    33  Rom.  viii.  33-    '"Rom.  viii.  35.     "Rom.  viii.  34. 
86  Rom.  viii.  31.  8T  Heb.  iv.  16. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE    SHIP     BECALMED,     A3TD     A     TALK    ABOUT    THE 
CRUCIBLE. 

Now  the  people  of  the  place  would  gladly  have 
had  them  prolong  their  stay  in  the  Harbor,  but 
seeing  they  were  determined  to  sail,  they  bade  them 
God  speed.  Then  the  grave  elders  of  the  place  gave 
them  some  parting  instructions  as  to  divers  uncertain 
winds  of  doctrine,  that  they  might  know  how  to  meet 
them,  and  not  be  tossed  to  and  fro  by  them.1  They 
warned  them  also  concerning  faith  and  a  good  con- 
science, and  told  them  of  some  who,  having  put 
away  the  good  conscience,  concerning  faith  had 
made  shipwreck.2  And  they  said  to  them,  The  good 
things  committed  to  you  keep  by  the  Holy  Ghost 
which  dwelleth  in  us.3  So  the  wind  being  fair,  they 
set  sail,  and  the  last  thing  said  to  them  was  this, 
namely,  In  everything  by  prayer  and'  supplication 

JEph.  iv.  14.  "1  Tim.  i.  19.  »2  Tim.  i.  14. 


A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE,    ETC.  71 

with  thanksgiving,  let  your  requests  be  made  known 
unto  God ;  and  the  peace  of  God  which  passeth  all 
understanding,  shall  keep  your  hearts  and  minds 
through  Christ  Jesus.4  It  was  a  sweet  benediction, 
and  the  sound  of  it  seemed  to  whisper  in  the  wind 
long  after  the  Harbor  and  the  Bay  were  lost  sight  of. 

And  in  truth  the  experience  of  this  blessing  came 
upon  them ;  for  heaven  and  the  sea  seemed  one 
harmonious  scene  of  loveliness  and  peace,  and  for 
many  days  they  sailed  with  sweet  content  before  the 
breeze  that  God  sent  them.  The  air  was  clear  and 
invigorating  by  day,  and  by  night  the  new  moon  and 
the  stars  shone  brightly,  till  it  seemed  as  if  the 
weather  had  got  such  a  habit  of  serenity  and  beauty 
that  it  could  not  change.  So  they  began  to  relax  a 
little  in  their  diligence,  and  the  discipline  on  board 
ship  grew  somewhat  careless.  But 'they  were  soon 
made  to  see  that  even  with  every  other  thing  just  as 
favorable  as  ever,  they  might  perish,  if  the  Lord 
should  but  a  little  while  withhold  his  Spirit.  For 
the  wind,  that  had  been  so  favorable,  died  gradually 
away,  till  at  length  it  was  a  perfect  dead  calm. 

And  now  the  sails  flapped  idly  against  the  masts, 
and  the  helm  swayed  from  side  to  side  with  the  roll 
of  the  ship,  without  any  onward  motion,  and  now  and 
then  the  whole  canvas  would  come  thrashing  and 

4  Phil,  iv.  6,  7. 


72  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

thundering  with  a  lazy  thwack  against  the  yards  and 
spars,  as  if  it  had  no  other  object  or  use,  but  just  to 
wear  itself  out  by  flapping.  The  crew  hung  idly 
about,  endeavoring  at  intervals  to  make  work  where 
nothing  seemed  necessary  to  be  done,  picking  the 
shreds  of  old  rope  into  oakum,  burnishing  the  guns, 
leaning  over  the  sides  of  the  ship,  and  gazing  down 
into  the  silent  waters.  Once  or  twice  they  got  a  sail 
overboard  to  bathe,  but  the  sharks'  fins  appeared  so 
clearly  in  the  neighborhood,  that  they  did  not  dare 
enjoy  themselves,  even  with  that  expedient. 

Their  souls  at  length  melted  for  heaviness,  and  such 
a  weight  and  stupor  seemed  to  pervade  the  air,  that  a 
lassitude  of  body  and  spirit  came  over  them,  which 
made  it  a  weariness  to  move.  And  still  the  calm 
continued  so  long,  that  it  seemed  as  if  they  were 
fastened  there  for  ever.  The  sun  looked  down  at 
noon,  exceeding  hot,  for  they  were  now  in  warm  lati- 
tudes, and  the  sea  was  a  great  mirror,  reflecting  the 
heat  and  light,  and  yet  they  could  not  stir.  Peter 
and  John  walked  the  deck  and  whistled,  and  now 
and  then  gazed  long  and  steadfastly  at  the  horizon, 
but  it  would  not  do.  The  boats  were  got  out,  and 
manned  with  sweeps,  but  it  was  useless.  All  they 
could  do  was  to  cast  themselves  on  God,  and  groan 
over  their  condition. 

Now  and  then  a  puff  of  wind  started  them  a  little, 


FOB   JACK    IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  73 

and  it  seemed  as  if  the  breeze  would  come,  and  in 
one  of  those  catspaws  they  encountered  a  very  fearful 
sight,  for  the  wreck  of  a  ship  came  floating  by,  turned 
up  upon  her  beam  ends,  her  masts  gone,  or  under 
water,  covered  with  barnacles  and  seaweed.  The 
long  undulating  swell  broke  upon  her  with  a  melan- 
choly wash,  and  it  was  a  sad  sight  to  look  upon ; 
a  picture  of  utter  ruin  and  desolation.  But  what 
they  speedily  saw  made  it  more  solemn  still ;  for  as 
the  wreck,  like  some  dead  carcass  of  a  whale  floated 
by,  and  the  roll  of -the  sea  lifted  her  stem  out  of 
water,  Peter,  looking  narrowly,  thought  he  could 
plainly  read  her  name,  and  could  make  out  the  words 
SINLESS  PERFECTION,  with  something  further  that  could 
scarce  be  distinguished. 

Then  said  Peter  to  John,  after  they  had  both 
gazed  for  some  time  in  silence  at  the  sight,  I  think, 
verily,  I  know  that  vessel,  and  by  whom  she  was 
built  and  chartered ;  for  if  I  am  not  greatly  mistaken, 
it  was  one  Highininded,  of  the  Country  of  Self-Delu- 
sion. The  timber  of  the  ship  was  good,  for  the 
builder  had  a  great  deal  of  knowledge  of  the  King's 
forests ;  but  being  himself  three  quarters  owner,  he 
gave  her  in  command  of  one  Captain  Heady,  with  a 
mate  for  his  chief  officer,  whose  name  was  Self- 
Esteem.  Then  a  crew  was  shipped,  among  whom 
were  Ignorance,  Presumption,  Fitful,  Censorious, 


74:  A  KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

and  False  Zeal.  They  also  had  on  board,  as,  part  of 
their  cargo,  a  quantity  of  spirits  called  Self-exaltation, 
which  was  given  out  by  the  Captain  in  daily  rations  ; 
and  it  is  my  firm  belief,  if  the  truth  could  be  told 
that  the  vessel  having  fallen  into  danger,  the  crew 
gave  themselves  up  to  drinking,  and  every  one  of 
them  perished  in  their  own  corruption.6 

"Well,  said  John,  it  is  a  gloomy,  mournful  spec- 
tacle. He  that  exalteth  himself  shall  be  abased,  and 
he  that  humbleth  himself  shall  be  exalted.6  It  is  a 
terrible  sight  in  these  seas ;  let  him  that  thinketh  he 
standeth  take  heed  lest  he  fall.7  Who  knows  but  that 
this  vessel  may  have  sailed  just  where  we  are  sailing 
now,  with  a  prospect  every  whit  as  fair,  to  all  seem- 
ing, for  reaching  the  Celestial  Country  ? 

Then  answered  Peter,  The  word  of  God  declares 
that  if  we  say  we  have  no  sin,  we  deceive  ourselves 
and  the  truth  is  not  in  us.8  And  I  knew  a  most 
experienced  weather-beaten  old  navigator,  who  used 
to  exclaim,  If  I  say  I  am  perfect,  that  also  shall  prove 
me  perverse.9  But  this  pretence  to  a  sinless  perfec- 
tion hath  various  kinds  and  causes  ;  some  taking  it 
up  as  a  cloak  of  licentiousness,  and  sportirig  them 
selves  with  their  own  deceiving,10  others  dreaming  to 
have  gone  into  an  interior  life  so  deep  as  to  have  got 

'2  Pet.  ii.  12.          •  Luke  xiv.  11.  7 1  Cor.  x.  12. 

8  1  John  i.  8-          'Job  ix.  20.  I02  Pet.  ii.  13. 


FOE  JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  75 

beyond  sin,  others  again  rising  so  high  as  to  have 
come  to  an  atmosphere  where  the  elements  of  sin 
can  be  handled  without  any  defilement,  just  as  you 
can  bathe  your  body  in  the  sea,  and  yet  not  have  the 
salt-water  enter  the  pores  of  the  skin.  But  these  last 
are  clouds  carried  about  with  a  tempest,  as  the  others 
are  wells  without  water.11  But  they  all  of  them,  if 
they  be  not  turned  from  their  error,  after  a  while  fall 
to  speaking  great  swelling  words  of  vanity,  like  those 
we  met  in  the  country  of  Self-Conceit,  and  deceive 
and  captivate  many  unstable  souls  by  promising 
them  liberty.12  Now  of  a  truth  the  Christian  is  called 
unto  liberty,  but  only  where  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
is,13  and  not  for  an  occasion  to  the  flesh.14 

Ah,  my  brother,  said  John,  some  men's  ideas  of 
liberty  are  all  contrary  to  the  gospel,  as  Well  as  of 
perfection.  But  we  know  for  certain  that  the  work 
of  overcoming  sin,  and  destroying  the  Old  Man,  is 
going  on  all  through  life ;  and  God's  discipline  is 
needed,  even  with  his  best  children,  to  keep  down 
their  indwelling  corruptions ;  and  if  they  think  they 
have  none,  it  is  nearly  all  the  same  as  giving  up  the 
whole  ship  to  their  control. 

Some  men's  sins,  returned  Peter,  walk  the  deck, 
and  are  very  bold  and  shameless ;  others  slink  away 
in  by-places,  and  keep  out  of  sight  in  comers,  till 

11 2  Pet.  ii-  17.      "  2  Pet.  ii.  18,  19.      "  2  Cor.  iii.  17.      M  Gal.  v.  13. 


76  A   EEEL   IN  A  BOTTLE, 

opportunity  comes.  Some  men's  sins  get  passage 
with  the  cargo,  by  deceit,  just  as  poor  emigrants,  or 
fugitives  from  debt  and  justice,  will  hide  in  holes 
till  the  vessel  is  out  at  sea,  that  they  may  escape  the 
bailiff,  and  not  have  to  pay  their  fare,  nor  be  thrown 
overboard. 

Tes,  added  John,  and  some  Captains  have  been 
known  to  put  their  vicious  hands  under  the  hatches, 
thinking  that  because  they  were  out  of  sight  they 
could  do  no  mischief,  when  they  were  such  villains 
and  murderers,  that  by  the  King's  law  they  ought  to 
have  been  hanged,  or  put  ashore  on  some  desert 
island.  There  was  one  fellow,  Pride,  aboard  as  fine  a 
ship,  to  all  appearance,  as  ever  was  launched,  who 
got  up  a  mutiny,  and  corrupted  several  of  the  crew, 
but  as  he  was  a  near  kinsman  of  tfie  Captain,  he  was 
too  tender  of  him  to  execute  the  law,  and  only  put 
him  in  the  hold  with  bread  and  water.  But  the 
villain,  some  how  or  other,  got  hold  of  an  auger  and 
axe,  and  bored  a  hole  in  the  ship's  bottom  so  big, 
that  she  foundered ;  and  yet,  before  she  went  down, 
the  hatches  having  been  taken  off  to  try  and  get  at 
the  leak,  Pride  and  his  fellows  got  out,  and  escaped 
by  swimming.  They  got  ashore  unhurt,  on  a  shallow 
soft  marsh,  and  found  themselves  in  the  Country  of 
Flattery,  where  they  set  up  for  gentlemen,  and  are 
living  still. 


FOR   JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  77 

Well,  said  Peter,  a  man's  pride  shall  bring  him 
low,  but  honor  shall  uphold  the  humble  in  spirit.15 
Such  villains  have  been  playing  their  tricks  ever  since 
the  time  of  Joshua,  when  they  came  to  that  great 
Captain-General  with  crusts  of  mouldy  bread  and  old 
shoes,  as  if  they  had  travelled  a  great  way,  and  en- 
tered into  a  league  with  him.16  And  then  they  were 
very, well  content  to  live  with  the  people  as  hewers 
of  wood  and  drawers  of  water,  if  only  they  might 
live."  But  all  the  Canaanites  and  Jebusites  that 
were  spared  proved  to  be  as  thorns  in  the  side,  and 
were  always  making  mischief.  Now  if  the  children 
of  God  think  to  spare  their  sins,  and  make  hewers  of 
wood  and  drawers  of  water  of  them,  they  will  have 
mischief  and  misery.  Some  of  such  servants  will  be 
petted  and  cosseted,  and  he  that  delicately  bringeth 
up  his  servant  from  a  child,  shall  have  him  become 
his  son  at  the  length.15 

Now  while  they  were  thus  talking,  it  seemed  as  if 
the  signs  of  the  sky  had  become  more  encouraging, 
and  there  were  some  clouds  in  the  horizon  that  gave 
promise  of  the  possibility  of  wind.  Then  said  they 
one  to  another,  Who  knows  but  that  the  Lord  will  be 
gracious  unto  us  this  day,  and  grant  us  his  blessing?19 
So  they  besought  God  in  prayer,  with  greater  faith 

u  Prov.  xxix.  23.  w  Josh.  ix.  5.  "  Josh  ix.  21. 

18Prov.  xxix.  21.  19  Joel  ii.  14. 


78  A    REEL    IN    A    BOTTLE, 

and  earnestness  than  the}7  had  for  a  long  time  put  to 
this  work;  and  about  sunset  they  saw  at  a  distance  as 
it  were  a  dark  shade  rippling  the  surface  of  the  sea, 
though  it  had  been  so  long  time  far  and  wide  as 
smooth  as  glass ;  and  then  they  knew  that  the  breeze 
was  coming.  But  O  with  what  eagerness  they  stood 
and  watched  its  progress,  till  the  ship  began  to  feel 
it,  and  as  soon  as  she  caught  it  what  a  change !  The 
very  ocean  seemed  glad  of  it,  and  the  foam  kissed 
the  sides  of  the  ship  as  she  danced  along,  and  the 
sails  that  before  were  almost  dropping  to  pieces,  now 
bellied  out  upon  the  taut  cordage,  and  all  hands 
were  active  with  a  cheerful  courage  and  life,  so  that 
it  seemed  as  if  she  had  just  started  from  the  harbor. 

And  indeed  it  was  a  most  lovely,  animating  sight, 
this  activity,  after  such  sleep,  and  gloom,  and  droop- 
ing. The  freshness  of  the  wind,  before  which  they 
now  seemed  to  be  flying  from  death  to  life;  the 
sparkle  and  foam  of  the  waves,  racing  as  if  they  too 
had  a  glad  intelligence  ;  the  splendor  of  the  evening 
sky,  where  they  seemed  about  to  sail  into  heaven ; 
the  invigorating  elasticity  suddenly  diffused  through 
the  air,  as  if  it  were  a  new  creation  ;  what  a  blissful 
change  in  all  things  !  Every  sense  felt  its  influence ; 
their  heaviness  of  spirits  was  all  gone,  a  burden  was 
lifted  from  the  soul,  and  they  were  filled  with  such 
rejoicing  of  heart,  that  they  could  not  help  breaking 


FOR   JACK    IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  70 

forth  spontaneously  into  a  hymn  of  praise  expressive 
of  their  feelings.  They  sung  with  their  whole  soul, 
as  birds  escaped  from  prison ;  it  seemed  as  if  they 
never  had  known  what  it  was  to  sing  before ;  and  it 
was  with  such  a  deep  sense  of  the  presence  and  good- 
ness of  the  Saviour,  his  loving  kindness  and  tender 
mercy,  and  their  entire  dependence  upon  him,  out 
upon  the  wide  ocean,  that  nothing  could  be  more 
suitably  melodious. 

Jesus,  at  thy  command, 

I  launch  into  the  deep,  . 

And  leave  my  native  land, 

Where  sin  lulls  all  asleep. 
For  thee  I  fain  would  all  resign, 
And  sail  to  heaven  with  thee  and  thine. 

Thou  art  my  Pilot  wise, 

My  compass  is  thy  Word ; 

My  soul  each  storm  defies, 

While  I  have  such  a  Lord. 
I  trust  thy  faithfulness  and  power, 
To  save  me  in  the  trying  hour. 

Though  rocks  and  quicksands  deep 

Through  all  my  passage  lie, 

Yet  thou  wilt  safely  keep 

And  guide  me  with  thine  eye. 
My  anchor,  Hope,  shall  firm  abide, 
And  I  each  boisterous  storm  outride. 


80  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

By  faith  I  see  the  land 

The  port  of  endless  rest : 

My  soul,  thy  sails  expand, 

And  fly  to  Jesus'  breast. 
O  may  I  reach  the  heavenly  shore, 
Where  winds  and  waves  distress  no  more. 

Whene'er  becalmed  I  lie, 

And  storms  and  winds  subside, 

Lord,  to  my  succor  fly, 

And  keep  me  near  thy  side 
For  more  the  treacherous  calm  I  dread, 
Than  tempests  bursting  o'er  my  head. 

Come,  heavenly  wind,  and  blow 

A  prosperous  gale  of  grace, 

To  waft  me  from  below, 

To  heaven  my  destined  place. 
Then  in  full  sail  my  port  I'll  find 
And  leave  the  world  and  sin  behind. 

Now  when  they  had  finished  singing,  it  chimed 
eight  bells,  and  the  watch  was  set  for  the  night,  and 
every  one  on  board  went  with  a  glad  and  grateful 
heart  to  his  duty,  and  Peter  and  John  resumed,  in  the 
quiet  of  the  evening,  beneath  the  stars,  the  conversa- 
tion which  the  ominous  sight  of  the  wreck  had  led 
them  into. 

My  brother,  said  Peter,  did  you  ever  know  a  truly 
good  man,  who  did  not  daily  mourn  over  his  own 
sins  ?  I  am  sure,  the  more  there  is  of  such  sorrow, 
the  more  proof  there  is  of  God's  work.  And  some- 


FOE  JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  81 

times  afflictions  themselves  may  be  given  as  a  reward 
of  such  sorrow  for  sin,  and  a  means  of  taking  the  sin 
more  effectually  away.  The  sparing  of  the  rod 
would  spoil  God's  children.*0  There  is  a  perfection 
in  reserve  for  them,  in  the  righteousness  of  Christ. 
And  we  are  made  partakers  of  Christ,  if  we  hold  the 
beginning  of  our  confidence  steadfast  unto  the  end." 
The  righteousness  of  Christ  is  ours  now,  to  stand 
upon,  and  be  justified  and  forgiven  on  the  ground 
of  it ;  and  if  we  hold  fast,  it  will  be  ours  by  and  by 
in  his  perfect  likeness.  We  shall  be  like  him,  for' we 
shall  see  him  as  he  is.22  And  meantime  even  in  this 
world,  beholding  as  in  a  glass  the  glory  of  the  Lord, 
we  shall  be  changed  into  the  same  image,  from  glory 
to  glory,  even  as  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord.28  But 
that  is  a  great  work,  and  providence  and  grace  are 
both  concerned  in  it.  Sometimes  it  goes  on  by  fiery 
trials. 

Well,  said  John,  you  say  true;  and  there  is  no 
other  way  to  account  for  it,  why  God  sometimes 
seems  to  afflict  those  the  most  severely,  who  appear 
to  be  the  most  earnest  in  doing  his  will.  I  know  an 
experienced  and  wise  old  naval  Commander,  who 
used  to  say  that  the  Church  in  this  world  is  God's 
workshop,  his  jewel-shop,  where  his  jewels  are  a 
polishing  for  his  kingdom  and  glory  above.  They 

20  Prov.  xiii.  24.     81  Heb.  iii.  14.     M  1  John  iii.  2.     M  2  Cor.  iii.  18. 
4* 


82  A   REEL   IN    A   BOTTLE, 

are  to  be  his  crown -jew  els,  adorning  the  crown  of  the 
Redeemer.  But  while  they  are  here  below,  in  the 
shop,  he  has  many  sharp  tools  for  their  filing  and 
cutting,  and  they  lie  among  these  tools,  and  often 
have  to  come  under  their  operation.  And  those  that 
the  King  most  esteems,  and  means  to  make  the  most 
resplendent,  he  hath  oftenest  his  tools  upon.  That 
was  a  beautiful  saying,  and  a  true  one. 

Indeed,  it  is  true,  answered  Peter.  Those  whom 
he  loves,  he  rebukes  and  chastens.84  And  O,  to  be 
such  a  living  stone,  to  be  a  jewel  fit  to  shine  in  the 
Saviour's  crown  for  ever,  what  would  not  any  man  in 
his  senses  be  willing  to  give  or  to  undergo  for  such 
glory !  Why,  I  think  that  to  get  rid  of  sin,  say 
nothing  of  the  crown,  to  have  God  mercifully  work 
upon  us  to  remove  our  sin,  is  infinite  love,  "mercy, 
and  glory.  And  then  to  think  that  he  has  promised 
to  make  us  perfect,  if  we  will  submit  to  his  disci- 
pline !  Oh  what  joy  there  is  in  that !  And  then  to 
think  that  all  this  is  done  for  the  Redeemer,  that  he 
who  died  for  us  may  be  glorified  and  admired  in  us, 
when  he  comes  to  take  possession  of  his  inheritance 
in  the  saints  ;26  indeed,  that  raises  the  joy  and  the 
glory  infinitely  higher,  to  think  that  it  is  Christ's  own 
joy,  and  Christ's  own  glory. 

Yes,  said  John,  it  is  the  love  of  the  Father  to  the 

a«  Rev.  iii.  19.  "5  2  Thess.  i.  10. 


FOR   JACK    IN   THE   DOLDKTJMS.  83 

Son,  as  well  as  to  those  who  are  sons  by  Adoption, 
that  makes  him  deal  thus  with  his  children.  There 
is  a  great  mystery  in  affliction,  sometimes,  to  those 
who  do  not  see  by  faith,  but  it  is  sweetly  clear  to 
those  who  do.  For  what  dear  Son  is  there,  whom 
his  father  chasteneth  not?28  I  have  known  some, 
who  have  gone  in  a  tempest  all  the  way,  and  others 
who  have  had  fair  weather.  But  the  tempest-tossed 
were  almost  always  the  deepest  in  Christian  expe- 
rience. And  that  agrees  with  the  passage  about  the 
trial  of  our  faith  working  experience.27  God  seeth 
not  as  man  sees.  Man  seeth  the  appearance,  but 
God  looketh  at  the  heart.28  The  fact  is  that  God 
sees  through  us,  quite  through,  and  sees  a  great  many 
hidden  evils,  that  need  to  be  brought  out.  So  he  puts 
us  into  the  crucible. 

"Well,  said  Peter,  the  crucible  is  a  wonderful  thing, 
and  those  that  go  into  a  goldsmith's  shop,  and  watch 
its  operation,  may  learn  a  great  deal  that  they  never 
knew  before.  You  know  that  in  that  passage  in  the 
Old  Testament  about  the  Refiner's  fire,20  it  is  said 
that  He  shall  sit  as  a  Refiner  and  purifier  of  silver. 
Now  the  Refiner  sits  patiently,  till  the  silver  or  the 
gold  become  so  clear,  by  the  dross  rising,  and  being 
skimmed  away,  that  be  can  see  his  own  face  in  it. 
So  the  Saviour  patiently  and  lovingly  watches  and 

s"  Heb.  xii.  7.     27  Rom.  v.  3.     3P 1  Sam.  xvi.  7.     2!)  Mai.  iii.  3. 


84  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

works  upon  bis  children,  when  he  puts  them  into 
the  crucible,  till  he  can  see  his  own  image  in  them. 

Well,  said  John,  as  long  as  the  dross  rises,  he  can- 
not do  that,  except  at  intervals  ;  and  I'm  thinking 
that,  as  long  as  we  live,  the  dross  will  keep  rising. 
Who  can  even  say,  in  this  world,  that  he  is  perfectly 
free  from  sin  ?  And  if  the  crucible  were  taken  off 
from  the  fire  before  the  dross  is  all  taken  away,  and 
it  were  so  left,  what  then  ? 

Why,  said  Peter,  that  is  the  very  point  I  was 
coming  to.  You  see  that  there  is  many  a  piece  of 
gold  in  a  goldsmith's  shop,  that  a  strange  man 
coming  in,  or  one  who  knows  little  about  gold,  might 
think  was  very  pure.  But  what  does  the  goldsmith 
do?  Why,  he  just  takes  that  same  piece  of  gold, 
that  shines  so  beautifully,  and  puts  it  into  his  cru- 
cible, and  kindles  the  fire,  and  then,  as  soon  as  it  is 
melted  down,  he  bids  the  stranger  look,  and  then,  to 
be  sure,  it  is  all  covered  with  dross,  and  it  is  not  till 
that  dross  is  all  taken  away  that  the  gold  is  pure, 
though  it  might  shine  very  brightly,  and  answer 
many  purposes,  even  with  the  dross  mingled  up  in 
it.  But  this  shows  why  and  how  it  is  that  while  the 
processes  of  refinement  and  purification  are  going  on 
with  God's  dear  children,  their  sinfulness  appears  to 
themselves  clearer  than  ever,  and  they  sometimes 
think  they  are  more  sinful,  while  the  Lord  is  making 


FOB   JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  85 

them  more  holy.  It  is  because  the  Lord  Jesus,  the 
Great  Refiner,  brings  out  the  dross  that  was  before 
concealed. 

Then,  said  John,  how  much  do  we  need  to  pray 
with  David,  Cleanse  thou  me  from  secret  faults.30 
Search  me,  and  know  my  heart,  try  me,  and  know 
my  ways,  and  see  if  there  be  any  wicked  way  in 
me.31  It  is  pretty  plain  that  there  may  be  many 
wicked  ways  in  a  man,  that  have  never  yet  shown 
themselves  out  of  him. 

Oh  yes,  said  Peter,  and  what  a  mercy  to  have 
them  brought  out,  disclosed,  brought  up  to  the  surface 
as  dross,  and  taken  away  ;  otherwise  the  whole  lump 
might  have  to  be  thrown  away  as  good  for  nothing. 
It  is  a  great  thing  to  be  good  to  be  tried,  good  for 
something.  Where  there  is  gold,  there  may  be 
dross ;  but  if  there  is  gold,  then  the  Lord  Jesus  will 
have  the  dross  away.  It  is  a  great  deal  worse  mixed 
up  in  the  composition,  and  concealed,  than  when  it 
is  brought  to  the  surface ;  though  while  it  is  out  of 
sight  the  gold  seems  gold,  and  when  it  is  rising  it 
seems  oftentimes  nothing  but  dross.  So  a  child  of 
God  has  to  cry  out  in  the  bitterness  of  his  soul,  find- 
ing so  many  hidden  evils  disclosed,  that  he  hardly 
dreamed  of,  Oh,  alas !  I  am  all  dross,  all  dross ! 
when  the  Lord  Jesus  is  making  him  really  better 

80  Psa.  xix.  12.  31  Psa.  cxxxix.  23,  24- 


86  A   REEL    IN    A    BOTTLE, 

than  he  was  before.  Let  not  the  lump  of  gold  upon 
the  goldsmith's  counter,  boast  itself  above  that  which 
is  groaning  in  the  crucible. 

In  such  sweet  conversation  the  time  passed  rapidly 
away,  and  meanwhile  no  language  can  tell  how  soft 
and  beautiful  continued  to  be  the  weather  and  the 
prospect.  The  sea  was  serene  and  quiet,  the  air 
balmy,  and  the  breeze  delightful.  It  was  so  lovely, 
that  for  whole  days,  and  almost  weeks,  they  hardly 
changed  a  sail,  and  things  went  on  so  easily  and 
regularly,  that  it  seemed  hardly  worth  while  to  be  at 
the  trouble  of  a  daily  observation.  And  yet  it  was 
just  precisely  here  that  a  mistake  was  made  in  their 
reckoning,  which,  had  it  not  been  for  the  Lord's 
great  mercy,  would  have  led  them  to  destruction  in 
the  midst  of  apparent  peace  and  safety.  The  unin- 
terrupted calmness  of  the  weather,  the  regular  daily 
progress  of  the  ship,  and  the  fine  appearances  in 
every  direction,  had  made  them  forget  about  the 
currents,  and  not  taking  account  of  those,  their  real 
progress  was  by  no  means  what  it  appeared  to  be  by 
the  log,  and  they  had  been  carried  aside  from  the 
point  where  they  thought  they  were  upon  the  Chart. 

It  was  just  precisely  here  that  some  sunken  rocks 
were  laid  down  in  the  Chart,  and  they  were  now  in 
that  vicinity  without  knowing  it.  For  the  currents 
hereabouts  could  not  be  put  down  with  any  accu- 


FOE   JACK   IN  THE   DOLDRUMS.  87 

racy  at  a  given  point,  because  they  were  very 
changeable,  and  it  was  so  much  the  more  necessary 
to  have  been  upon  the  watch,  and  to  have  used  every 
means  for  detecting  both  their  force  and  direction. 
A  concealed  current  is  a  thing  that  may  be  very 
powerful  the  wrong  way,  even  when  the  wind,  waves, 
sails,  helm,  weather,  and  everything  in  the  vessel's 
progress,  may  seem  to  be  right.  There  is  no  time  at 
sea,  when  men  can  be  safely  off  their  watch,  and  no 
time  when  they  can  safely  neglect  any  necessary 
precaution.  They  know  not  what  may  come  of  it. 
The  sins  that  do  so  easily  beset  us,32  need  a  steadfast 
care  and  patience  against  them,  for  they  may  en- 
snare us  in  a  thousand  unsuspected  and  dangerous 
ways. 

Enjoyment  and  security  had  made  the  pilgrims 
almost  feel  as  if  there  could  be  no  change  in  the 
weather,  and  yet  it  came.  The  sky  was  no  more 
seen,  although  there  were  neither  clouds  nor  tem- 
pests. They  had  had  a  bright  clear  air  and  serene 
heavens,  up  to  this  time  for  weeks  ;  and  a  slight  haze 
in  the  horizon,  like  the  smoke  of  the  Indian  summer 
on  the  land,  was  the  first  indication  of  change ;  but 
soon  a  bank  of  mist  rolled  up  and  then  unrolled  and 
spread  over  the  ocean,  till  they  were  in  the  midst  of 
a  thick,  damp  fog,  so  like  a  blanket  round  about 

m  Heb.  xii.  1 


88  A   KEEL   IN   A    BOTTLE, 

them,  that  nothing  could  be  seen,  not  even  the  water 
a  fathom  from  the  ship's  side.  Now  as  soon  as  this 
was  the  case,  the  danger  from  the  sunken  reefs  might 
be  considered  imminent,  simply  because,  as  I  said, 
they  had  not  reckoned  the  strength  nor  discovered 
the  direction  of  the  currents,  and  therefore  were  really 
to  a  great  degree  ignorant  of  their  position.  The  fog 
distressed  them  much,  and  though  they  had  no  idea 
of  the  neighborhood  of  rocks,  yet  they  kept  as  good  a 
look-out  as  seemed  possible.  When  the  night  fell, 
the  darkness  was  like  Egypt,  and  Peter  and  John,  as 
they  went  forward  to  the  bows  of  the  ship,  and  gazed 
earnestly  out  into  the  gloom,  felt  an  awe  stealing 
over  their  spirits,  and  a  presentiment  of  evil,  they 
hardly  knew  why.  But  they  called  to  mind  the 
direction,  "Who  is  among  you  that  feareth  the  Lord, 
and  obeyeth  the  voice  of  his  servant,  that  walketh  in 
darkness,  and  hath  no  light  ?  Let  him  trust  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord,  and  stay  upon  his  God."  So  they 
besought  the  Lord's  guidance,  and  kept  watching, 
and  that  night  sleep  fled  from  them,  and  they  con- 
tinued in  prayer. 

And  well  was  it  that  they  did ;  for  about  midnight 
suddenly  a  cry  was  made  of  breakers,  a  loud  startling 
cry ;  and  hurrying  on  deck,  there  was,  sure  enough, 
the  angry  dash  of  the  waves  over  the  rocks,  and  as 

19  Isa.  1. 10 


FOE  JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  89 

the  fog  had  lifted  a  little,  the  foam  could  be  seen 
cresting  and  creaming  right  ahead  of  the  ship,  and 
seeming  hardly  the  ship's  length  distant. 

Hard  up  the  helm,  shouted  Peter.  Let  fly  the 
main  sheets  !  Then  he  rushed  to  the  helm  himself, 
while  John  flew  to  the  men's  assistance,  for  their  life 
depended  on  the  rapidity  and  correctness  of  their 
movements.  Peter  saw  at  a  glance  the  direction  of 
the  reef,  and  now  the  whole  reality  of  the  rocks  in 
the  Chart  came  to  his  mind  like  a  sudden  revelation, 
and  the  anguish  of  the  conviction  that  they  had 
stumbled  into  this  danger  by  their  own  carelessness 
was  exceeding  great.  Lord  save  us!  cried  Peter; 
we  perish  !34 

And  here,  if  the  vessel  had  been  in  the  same  con- 
dition as  she  was  when  they  were  tossing  off  the  coast 
of  Self-Conceit,  she  must  have  gone  upon  the  rocks 
in  spite  of  all  their  manoeuvring ;  but  she  minded  her 
helm  since  Humility  and  Self-Distrust  had  had  the 
handling  of  her  ballast,  and  escaped,  though  very 
narrowly,  in  the  midst  of  appalling  peril.  A  little 
delay  in  the  watch,  a  little  later,  a  little  further,  and 
she  must  have  struck.  The' men  trembled  from  head 
to  foot,  when  they  saw  the  danger,  and  it  was  not  till 
daylight  came,  and  the  fog  lifted,  showing  them  that 

34  Matt.  viii.  25. 


90  A   BEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE. 

they  had  a  clear  sea  before  them,  that  they  found  any 
relief. 

Then  Peter  and  John  went  to  work  upon  their 
reckoning,  and  they  had  to  cry  out,  Who  can  under- 
stand his  errors  ?3B  But  pleasant  it  was  to  see  the 
exceeding  great  earnestness  with  which  they  now 
studied  the  King's  Chart.  With  compasses  in  hand 
they  were  poring  over  it  day  and  night,  and  making 
their  measurements,  and  with  new  anxiety  and  many 
tears  they  sought  to  be  taught  of  God,  for  they  found 
that  a  sailor  might  speculate  excellently  well,  and 
yet,  but  for  God's  mercy,  go  to  the  bottom.  The 
warning  ran  in  their  minds  continually,  Let  us, 
therefore,  fear  lest  a  promise  being  left  us  of  entering 
into  his  rest,  any  of  you  should  seem  to  come  short.** 
They  trembled  for  the  danger  of  Self-delusion. 

84  Psa.  xix.  12.  so  Heb.  iv.  L 


CHAPTER  V. 

CAPTAIN   GLIU'S   YACHT. 

Now  it  came  to  pass,  as  they  stood  upon  their 
way  with  a  fine  favorable  wind,  after  the  fog  had 
passed  over,  that  they  chanced  to  espy  a  sail  bearing 
down  upon  them,  and  thinking  she  might  be  of  the 
King's  service,  forthwith  trimmed  their  course  so  as 
to  meet  and  speak  with  her.  But  as  they  drew  near, 
they  found  she  looked  more  like  a  pleasure  yacht 
with  streamers,  than  anything  else,  and  they  could 
not  make  out  her  rig  till  they  got  close  enough  to 
speak  without  difficulty.  Her  course  lay  athwart 
the  bows  of  the  ship,  westward,  while  they  were 
going  South  East.  The  vessels  lay  to  for  one  another, 
and  as  the  sea  was  quiet,  they  could  easily  converse 
without  changing  position. 

The  vessel's  name  they  found  was  False  Confidence, 
and  sh'e  had  a  rakish  look  that  truly  did  not  belie  her 
name,  and  her  Captain's  name  was  Glib,  a  man  well 


92  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

known  and   highly  honored  in  his  native  land  of 
Oppositions  of  Science  falsely  so  called.1 

The  vessel  herself  was  built  in  the  Country  of 
Liberal  Christianity,  and  had  been  constructed  with 
a  propeller  in  her  stern  called  Philosophy,  which, 
together  with  the  Engine,  was  put  under  the  charge 
of  one  Deism,  Nevertheless,  they  went  by  the  wind 
when  it  was  favorable,  and  only  took  to  the  propeller 
when  the  wind  did  not  serve,  or  when  they  would  go 
in  the  teeth  of  the  wind.  Sometimes  the  Captain  put 
Deism  at  the  helm,  but  more  generally  left  it  in  charge 
of  the  regular  steersman,  one  Mr.  Man's- Wisdom. 

The  Mate's  name  was  Plausible,  and  he  had 
under  his  "control  a  number  of  men,  some  of  whom 
were  mariners,  and  among  them  a  notable  crew 
named  Surface,  Shallow,  Second-hand,  Explain-away, 
Pick-flaw,  Fair-speech,  Yoluble,  Anything,  and 
Nothing.  There  was  on  board  in  the  steerage  a 
library  for  their  use,  entitled  Salvation  made  Easy ; 
or,  Every  Man  his  own  Redeemer.  In  the  hold  they 
had  many  bales  of  stuff,  called  Rudiments  of  the 
World,2  Profane  and  Yain  Babblings,3  Accommoda- 
tions, Perfectibilities,  Refinements  of  Science,  and 
Yain  Janglings.  They  had  also  a  stuff  both  for 
cargo  and  ballast  together,  called  the  Dignity  of 
Human  Nature. 

1  1  Tim.  vi.  20.  'Col.  ii-  8.  1  Tim,  vi.  20. 


FOE   JACK   IN   TIIE   DOLDRUMS.  93 

The  first  salutation  was  made  by  Captain  Glib, 
who  stood  upon  the  quarter  deck  and  cried,  Well, 
friends,  what  cheer?  How  goes  the  world  with 
you? 

Then  said  Peter,  Not  at  all;  we  go  from  the 
world,  and  it  will  not  take  passage  with  us  at  any 
rate. 

CAPTAIN  GLIB. — Then  answered  the  Captain,  The 
more's  the  pity  for  you,  to  leave  so  pleasant  a  com- 
panion behind  you. 

PETER. — But  the  "Word  of  God,  said  Peter,  admon- 
ishes us  that  the  friendship  of  the  world  is  enmity 
with  God,4  and  we  are  not  sorry  to  leave  the  world's 
vanities  behind  us  for  things  that  are  much  better  in 
store  for  us. 

CAPTAIN  GLIB. — "Well,  you  may  take  your  course,  and 
we'll  take  ours.  "We  are  bound  now  to  Cape  Transcen- 
dental, to  carry  our  wares,  and  get  the  latest  notions. 

PETER. — Then  said  Peter,  The  Jews  require  a  sign, 
and  the  Greeks  seek  after  wisdom  ;8  but  it  is  only 
Christ  and  him  crucified  that  can  ever  be  the  power 
of  God  and  the  wisdom  of  God  for  salvation.6 

CAPTAIN  GLIB. — Then  Captain  Glib  answered  with 
a  sneer,  that  he  did  not  believe  salvation  hung  upon 
any  dogma,  and,  moreover,  said  he,  I  thank  God  the 
world  %is  no  longer  in  leading  strings  to  a  squad  of 

4  James  iv.  4.  8 1  Cor.  i.  22.  "1  Cor.  i.  24. 


94:  A  KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

Calvinistic  Theologians.  One  man  has  Ms  way,  and 
another  man  Ms  •  in  the  end  all  will  come  out  right. 
God  is  good. 

PETEK. — Well,  said  Peter,  I  am  glad  you  thank 
God  for  anything.  But  I  can  tell  you  there  is  only 
one  way  of  salvation,  only  one  name,  only  one 
Saviour.7  And  if  any  man  be  not  in  that  way,  his  is 
the  wrong  way,  whatever  name  he  bears.  And  the 
wrong  way  leads  to  death. 

CAPTAIN  GLIB. — How  do  you  know  that?  You 
speak  as  if  you  knew  all  about  these  things  to  a  dead 
certainty,  and  as  if  all  other  opinions  were  but  smoke 
and  nonsense. 

PETER. — And  so  they  are,  all  that  goes  against  the 
Word  of  God ;  for  we  get  our  knowledge  from  him, 
and  we  speak  that  we  do  know,  and  testify  that  we 
have  seen.8  Certainly  God  would  not  leave  us  in 
doubt  which  was  the  way  to  Hell,  and  which  the 
path  to  Heaven. 

CAPTAIN  GLIB. — Oh,  we  don't  want  any  of  your 
fire  and  brimstone  preaching.  Men  can  be  drawn  by 
love  much  more  easily.  And  as  to  the  hell  you 
speak  of,  why,  every  man  may  have  his  share  of 
that  in  this  world,  and  be  purified  by  it. 

PETEK. — But  the  hell  of  sinners  is  to  come,  and  if 
you  die  in  your  sins,  you  shall  have  your  part  in  the 

7  Acts  iv.  12.  "Johniii.  11. 


FOR   JACK   IN   TIIE   DOLDRUMS.  95 

lake  that  burneth  with  fire  and  brimstone,  in  the 
second  death,9  where  the  Lord  Jesus  has  said  that 
their  worm  dieth  not,  and  the  fire  shall  never  be 
quenched.10  Furthermore,  they  who  know  not  God, 
and  obey  not  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
shall  be  punished  with  everlasting  destruction  from 
the  presence  of  the  Lord  and  the  glory  of  his  power, 
when  he  shall  come  in  flaming  fire  with  all  his  holy 
angels,  taking  vengeance  on  the  wicked  who  once 
neglected  and  despised  him.11 

At  these  words  Captain  Glib  seemed  as  if  he 
would  choke,  and  he  turned  and  said  something  to 
the  Man  Deism,  who  stood  beside  him,  whereupon 
the  same  person  took  up  the  word,  and  said, — • 

DEISM. — Men  have  got  light  enough  to  sail  by,  if 
they  will  use  it. 

PETER. — Oh  yes,  answered  Peter,  plenty  enough  ; 
but  if  the  light  that  is  in  you  be  darkness,  how  great 
is  that  darkness  ?'"  There  are  many  men  whose  un- 
derstanding is  darkened,  being  alienated  from  the 
life  of  God  through  the  ignorance  that  is  in  them 
because  of  the  blindness  of  their  hearts,13  and  such 
men  go  blindfold  to  perdition.  You  may  think  you 
are  safe  enough  when  you  are  next  door  to  ruin. 

DEISM. — But  where  is  your  boasted  ruin  ?     Since 

9  Rev.  xxi.  8.      10  Mark  ix.  44.     "  2  Thess.  i.  9.      w  Matt.  vi.  23. 
l»  Eph.  iv.  18. 


96  A   REEL    IN  A  BOTTLE, 

the  fathers  fell  asleep,  all  things  continue  as  they 
were  from  the  beginning  of  the  Creation,14  save  only 
that  the  world  is  growing  better  and  more  scientific. 
And  have  not  we  ourselves  come  safely  all  the  way 
thus  far  across  the  ocean?  To-morrow  shall  be  as 
this  day,  and  much  more  abundant.1' 

PETER. — But  you  are  willingly  ignorant  that  the 
heavens  and  the  earth  are  reserved  unto  fire  against 
the  day  of  judgment  and  perdition  of  ungodly  men.17 
Moreover,  these  present  seas  are  dangerous,  and  fatal 
for  any  not  under  the  King's  flag,  and  bound  to  the 
Celestial  Country. 

DEISM. — Who  talks  about  the  Celestial  Country,  as 
if  Heaven  were  a  place  ?  We  shall  have  heaven  on 
earth  when  society  is  reconstructed. 

PETEE. — But  did  you  not  know  that  there  are 
sunken  rocks  and  very  hazardous  reefs  hereabouts  ? 

DEISM. — Oh,  no  fear  of  that ;  we  dont  draw  water 
enough  for  any  harm  from  that.  Besides,  we  have 
an  infallible,  elastic  life-boat,  in  case  of  any  difficulty, 
made  by  one  Save-all  and  Company,  that  can  never 
sink,  but  will  hold  as  many  people  as  can  crowd  into 
it,  which  ensures  us  against  any  possibility  of  damage 
personally. 

PETER. — Then  said  Peter,  Tour  covenant  with 
death  shall  be  disannulled,  and  your  agreement  with 

14  2  Pet  iii,  4.  »  Issu  Ivi.  12.  »  2  Pet.  iii.  7. 


FOE  JACK   IN   THE  DOLDRUMS.  97 

hell  shall  not  stand."  Your  miserable  pretended 
life-boats  will  do  you  no  good,  but  can  only  sink  you 
deeper  in  perdition,  unless  you  take  refuge  in  Him 
who  only  is  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life.18, 

DEISM. — 'Ho  !  Ho !  You  talk  of  that  old  story  of 
the  Resurrection  and  the  Judgment,  just  as  if  all 
men  were  not  judged  in  this  life,  and  raised  as  fast 
as  they  die.  We  can  tell  you  a  thing  or  two  about 
these  mysteries. 

Then  said  John  to  Peter,  One  might  think  that 
two  persons,  at  least,  had  really  made  a  resurrection 
already,  and  were  here  before  us,  namely,  Hyme- 
neus  and  Philetus,19  or  those  other  two,  whom  Paul 
long  ago  delivered  unto  Satan,  that  they  might  learn 
not  to  blaspheme."0  Let  us  not  talk  with  them  any 
longer ;  it  is  casting  pearls  before  swine.21 

Then  answered  Peter,  These  men  do  indeed  seem 
given  over  to  strong  delusion  to  believe  a  lie.M  But 
just  ask  him  if  he  has  the  King's  Chart  aboard 
ship. 

Then  said  John  to  the  man,  What  do  you  sail  by  ? 
Have  you  got  the  King's  Chart  in  your  cabin  ? 

DEISM. — To  be  sure  we  have  it,  and  an  Amended 
and  Do-away  Version  of  it.  But  do  you  think  that 
was  meant  to  tie  us  down  to  one  and  the  same  line 

17  Isa.  xxviii.  18.  "  John  xi.  25.  w  2  Tim.  ii.  17. 

20 1  Tim-  i.  20.  ai  Matt.  vii.  6.  M  2  Thess.  ii.  11. 

5 


98  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

of  passage  in  all  generations  ?  Do  you  think  there 
has  been  no  progress  in  navigation  and  the  knowledge 
of  the  seas,  all  this  time  of  the  ages  ?  Why,  you  don't 
suppose  we  are  such  bigoted,  superstitious  fools,  as  to 
go  for  navigation  in  this  nineteenth  century  by  the 
letter  of  a  record  made  near  two  thousand  years  ago  ! 
No,  no !  We  belong  to  the  School  of  Progress.  Do 
you  think  Science  is  going  to  advance  at  such  a  rate, 
and  Religion  stand  still  ?  Or  that  Christians  are  for 
ever  to  be  like  a  wheel  in  a  treadmill,  always  turning 
over  the  same  route,  grinding  the  same  bark?  I  tell 
you  we  are  tired  of  that,  and  the  world  is  growing 
older. 

Then  said  John,  All  flesh  is  grass,  and  all  the  glory 
of  man  as  the  flower  of  grass.  The  grass  withereth, 
and  the  flower  thereof  falleth  away ;  but  the  Word 
of  the  Lord  endureth  for  ever."  And  now  stand  still, 
and  hear  the  judgment  of  God  concerning  you.  For 
as  natural  brute  beasts,  made  to  be  taken  and  de- 
stroyed, you  speak  evil  of  the  things  that  you  under- 
stand not,  and  shall  utterly  perish  in  your  own 
corruption.24  For  thus  saith  the  Lord,  Cursed  be  the 
man  that  trusteth  in  man,  and  maketh  flesh  his  arm, 
and  whose  heart  departeth  from  the  Lord.25  And, 
again,  Wo  unto  them  that  are  wise  m  their  own  eyes, 
and  prudent  in  their  own  sight.  Therefore,  As  the 

*  1  Pet.  i.  24,  25.  M  2  Pet.  2.  12.  "  Jer.  xvii.  5. 


FOR  JACK  EST  THE  DOLDRUMS.          99 

fire  devoureth  the  stubble,  and  the  flame  consumeth 
the  chaff,  so  their  root  shall  be  as  rottenness,  and 
their  blossom  shall  go  up  as  dnst ;  because  they  have 
cast  away  the  law  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts,  and  despised 
the  Word  of  the  Holy  One  of  Israel." 

At  this  speech  the  whole  crew  and  company  of  the 
vessel  seemed  greatly  abashed,  and  Mr.  Deism's 
tongue  stuck  to  the  roof  of  his  mouth.  But  Captain 
Glib  willing  to  restore  confidence,  stepped  up  to  the 
bulwarks,  and  said  in  a  bold  tone,  Thank  God,  we 
are  not  to  be  judged  by  man's  judgment. 

Then  answered  John,  No,  by  no  means ;  if  you 
were,  it  might  fare  better  with  you.  But  the  Lord 
hath  said,  He  that  rejecteth  me  and  my  words  hath 
one  that  judgeth  him ;  the  "Word  that  I  have  spoken, 
the  same  shall  judge  him  in  the  last  day."  And, 
again,  He  that  despised  Moses'  law  died  without 
mercy,  under  two  or  three  witnesses.  Of  how  much 
sorer  punishment  suppose  ye  he  shall  be  thought 
worthy,  who  hath  trodden  under  foot  the  Son  of  God, 
and  hath  counted  the  blood  of  the  covenant,  where- 
with he  was  sanctified,  an  unholy  thing,  and  hath  done 
despite  unto  the  Spirit  of  Grace  ?"  And  this  for  you, 
Mr.  Deism,  Behold  the  Lord  cometh  with  ten  thou- 
sand of  his  saints,  to  execute  judgment  upon  all,  and 
to  convince  all  that  are  ungodly  among  them  of  all 

"  Isa.  v.  21,  24.  **  John  xii.  48,  ?Heb.  x.  28, 29. 


100  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

their  ungodly  deeds  which  they  have  ungodly  com- 
mitted, and  of  all  their  hard  speeches  which  ungodly 
sinners  have  spoken  against  him.59 

Now  Captain  Glib  seemed  as  though  he  would  fain 
make  answer  to  this  also  ;  but  Peter  gave  orders  to 
square  the  yards,  and  put  the  helm  to  the  wind,  and 
there  being  a  stiff  breeze  just  then,  the  ship  shot  for- 
ward like  an  Arab  courser,  and  was  speedily  beyond 
hailing  distance.  But  looking  back,  they  could  see 
by  the  foam  in  the  stern  of  the  False  Confidence, 
that  she  was  plying  her  propeller  with  all  earnest- 
ness, as  if  determined  on  making  headway  against 
the  wind  that  was  now  blowing  fresh  from  the  Celes- 
tial Country. 

Alas,  alas,  said  Peter,  it  brings  tears  to  mine  eyes 
to  see  how  these  obstinate  foolish  men  are  bent  upon 
their  own  destruction.  For  I  know  that  evil  men  and 
seducers  shall  wax  worse  and  worse,  deceiving  and 
being  deceived.80  And  they  seem  verily  like  those 
of  whom  it  is  said,  that  even  as  they  did  not  like  to 
retain  God  in  their  knowledge,  God  gave  them  over 
to  a  reprobate  mind." 

Then  said  John,  Was  it  not  rather  rough  in  us  to 
dismiss  them  in  this  manner? 

But  Peter  answered,  These  are  of  those  who, 
having  the  form  of  godliness,  are  denying  the  power 

29  Jude  14,  15.  ™2  Tim.  iii.  13-  31  Rom.  i.  28. 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         101 

thereof,  those  who,  as  James  and  Jannes  withstood 
Moses,  do  likewise  resist  the  truth,  and  from  such  we 
are  commanded  to  turn  away,  for  they  are  men  of 
corrupt  minds,  reprobate  concerning  the  faith." 

But  said  John,  Might  we  not  have  done  more  to 
persuade  them  of  the  folly  and  madness  of  their 
career? 

PETER. — And  what  could  we  have  done  more  or 
better  than  present  the  Word  to  them  ?  Seest  thou  a 
man  wise  in  his  own  conceit  ?  There  is  more  hope 
of  a  fool  than  of  him.33  And,  again,  Though  thou 
bray  a  fool  in  a  mortar  with  a  pestle,  yet  will  not  his 
foolishness  depart  from  him.84  And  if  they  receive 
not  the  Word,  what  common  ground  have  we  to  stand 
upon,  or  how  can  we  argue  with  such  ?  For  if  they 
receive  not  the  record  that  God  hath  given  of  his  Son, 
they  make  him  a  liar.35 

JOHN. — But  methinks  we  might  have  invited  them 
on  board,  to  break  bread  with  us,  and  see  some  of 
the  King's  instruments  and  curiosities. 

PETER. — And  if  we  had,  they  would  only  have 
departed  better  satisfied  with  themselves,  and  falsely 
persuaded  of  some  saving  agreement  between  us. 
Alas !  They  are  ever  learning,  and  never  able  to 
come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth.38  And  if  we  sin 

M  2  Tim.  iii.  8.  ss  Prov.  xxvi.  12-  M  Prov.  xxvij.  22. 

35 1  John  v.  10.  "2  Tim.  iii.  7. 


102  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

wilfully  after  having  received  the  knowledge  of  the 
truth,  you  know  there  is  no  more  sacrifice  for  sins 
but  a  certain  fearful  looking  for  of  judgment  and 
fiery  indignation,  which  shall  devour  the  adver- 
saries.37 

JOHN.— "Well,  but  I  cannot  help  groaning  in  myself 
to  think  how  little  impression  we  have  made  upon 
them.  Might  we  not  have  sailed  with  them  a  little 
way,  to  persuade  them  of  our  good  will,  and  mayhap 
run  a  better  chance  to  win  them  ? 

PETER. — And  what  efiect  could  that  have  had,  but 
to  confirm  them  in  their  error  ?  Ko,  my  brother, 
we  have  done  right.  Faithful  are  the  wounds  of  a 
friend,  but  the  kisses  of  an  enemy  are  deceitful.38 
And,  besides  all  this,  do  you  not  remember  what  is 
said,  Whosoever  transgresseth,  and  abideth  not  in  the 
doctrine  of  Christ,  hath  not  God.  JETe  that  abideth 
in  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  he  hath  both  the  Father 
and  the  Son.  If  there  come  any  unto  you,  and  bring 
not  this  doctrine,  receive  him  not  into  your  house 
neither  bid  him  God  speed.  For  he  that  biddeth  him 
God  speed,  is  partaker  of  his  evil  deeds.39 

JOHN. — But  is  it  not  passing  strange  that  with  the 
"Word  of  God  before  them  they  can  be  so  blind  ? 

PETER. — Why,  there's  none  so  blind  as  those  that 
wont  see.  They  prefer  the  darkness,  and,  besides, 

"  Heb.  x.  26,  27.        »  Prov.  xxvii.  6.        "  2  John  i.  9,  10,  11. 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         103 

they  trust  in  their  own  wisdom,  and  walk  by  the 
light  of  their  own  sparks,  which  they  are  as  proud  of 
as  if  it  were  a  fire  for  the  universe.  But  God  says 
they  shall  lie  down  in  sorrow.40 

JOHN. — "Well,  we  say  of  a  drunken  man  that  he 
gets  high  ;  so  these  people  get  high  on  the  fumes  of 
their  own  vanity;  and  with  high-minded  people, 
their  pride  is  always  a  kind  of  drunkenness. 

PETER. — Moreover,  have  you  never  observed  what 
is  said  against  handling  the  Word  of  God  deceit- 
fully ?41  These  people  are  great  hands  at  that  kind 
of  work.  You  heard  their  talk  of  the  Amended 
Version  of  the  King's  Chart,  but  you  could  hardly 
tell  which  was  North  and  which  South  upon  it. 
And  as  to  those  base  fellows,  Explain-away  and 
Pick-flaw,  they  are  two  notable  wretches  as  ever 
lived.  If  we  had  had  them  aboard  with  us,  and 
tarried  in  the  Cabin  only  long  enough  to  take  bread, 
they  would  have  left  their  marks.  Ten  to  one  you 
would  have  found  holes  in  our  charts,  and  blank 
spaces,  where  there  are  important  signs,  and  you 
would  have  found  marks  and  directions  rubbed  out, 
that  now  to  us  are  as  plain  as  day.  They  are  as  bad 
as  rats. 

JOHN. — You  make  me  think  of  the  saying  of  a 
wise  man,  that  infidels  show  the  nature  of  their 

*°Isa.  1.  11.  4I2Cor.  iv.  2, 


104  A.   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

investigations  on  the  King's  Chart  just  as  snails 
mark  their  path  over  a  wall,  by  the  tracks  of  slime 
left  behind,  and  the  lines  of  film  drawn  across  it  in 
their  progress. 

PETER. — 'Tis  worse  than  that,  and  sometimes  it  is 
hard  to  detect  their  progress,  and  undo  the  mischief. 
If  you  could  always  see  it  plain,  it  would  be  much 
less  dangerous.  They  have  various  ways  of  casting 
off  God's  Word,  and  hiding  from  it.  Do  you  remem- 
ber the  beautiful  last  verse  in  the  17th  Psalm?  {'As 
for  me,  I  will  behold  thy  face  in  righteousness.  I 
shall  be  satisfied,  when  I  awake,  in  thy  likeness." 
How  sweetly  David  speaks  of  the  time  when  he 
shall  see  God  in  glory !  "Well,  what  should  you  think 
of  a  man  telling  you  that  that  meant  merely  getting 
up  early  for  morning  prayers  ? 

JOHN. — Why,  I  think  that  would  be  about  as  wise, 
as  if  I  should  read  aloud  the  chapter  where  it  says, 
My  voice  thou  shalt  hear  in  the  morning,42  and  you 
should  tell  the  crew  that  that  meant,  that  in  the 
morning  aboard  ship  there  would  be  eight  bells. 

PETER. — And  yet  these  villains  Explain-away, 
Pick-flaw,  and  others  like  them,  are  the  most  credu- 
lous of  all  fools  that  the  sun  ever  shone  upon,  in  the 
matter  of  their  own  speculations,  their  own  wisdom. 
They  will  believe  that  men  grew  out  of  monkeys. 

4S  Psa.  v.  3. 


FOK  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         105 

Indeed,  they  have  the  credulity  of  sharks,  that  will 
take  down  a  man's  hat,  believing  it  to  be  his  head, 
or  a  box  of  old  nails  for  a  junk  of  salt  pork,  and  yet, 
the  simplest  things  in  God's  Word  stumble  them. 
They  stumble  at  the  "Word,  being  disobedient.43  A 
man  once  said  of  them  that  they  will  swallow  a  whale 
any  time  to  avoid  believing  that  a  whale  swallowed 
Jonah. 

JOHN. — But  I  have  heard  of  others,  who  take  ano- 
ther tack.  Some  there  be,  who  are  for  casting  off  the 
letter  of  the  Word,  and  relying,  as  they  pretend, 
wholly  upon  the  Spirit.  These  may  ])&  as  bad,  in 
their  way,  and  more  deceitful,  than  your  Pick-flaws 
and  Explain-away s.  And  I  have  heard  a  very  expe- 
rienced and  holy  old  Captain  say  of  them  that  if  any 
pretend  that  they  have  the  Spirit,  and  so  turn  away 
from  the  strait  rule  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  they  have 
a  spirit  indeed,  but  it  is  a  fanatical  spirit,  a  spirit  of 
delusion  and  giddiness  ;  but  the  Spirit  of  God,  that 
leads  his  children  in  the  way  of  truth,  and  is  for  that 
purpose  sent  them  from  heaven  to  guide  thena  thither, 
squares  their  thoughts  and  ways  to  that  rule  whereof 
it  is  the  Author,  and  that  Word  which  was  inspired 
by  it,  and  sanctified  them  to  obedience.  Can  there 
be  anything  better  than  that  ? 

PETER. — Better  !     Why,  that  is  the  very  source  of 

"  1  Pet.  ii.  8. 
5* 


106  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

life  and  knowledge,  the  Spirit  with  the  Word. 
Sanctify  them  by  thy  truth;  thy  "Word  is  truth.44 
An  old  navigator  used  to  say,  Thy  words  were  found, 
and  I  did  eat  them,  and  they  were  to  me  the  joy  and 
rejoicing  of  my  heart.46  That  is  your  right  stock  of 
provision  for  a  long  voyage ;  it  never  gets  out  of 
order,  but  is  always  fresh,  pure,  and  refreshing. 

JOHN. — "Well,  you  make  me  think  of  Ezekiel's 
description  of  the  Tree  of  Life  ;  the  fruit  thereof  was 
for  food,  and  the  leaves  thereof  were  for  medicine.48 
That  is  God's  "Word,  both  food  and  medicine.  The 
medicine  is  to  search  out  and  purge  away  our  sins ; 
the  food  is  to  nourish  and  strengthen  us  in  Christ 
Jesus,  and  make  us  grow  in  grace. 

PETER. — Yes  !  And  all  by  the  Spirit.  The  Spirit 
takes  of  the  things  that  are  Christ's,  the  things  of  his 
"Word,  and  shows  them  to  the  soul.4'  "When  the 
Spirit  and  the  "Word  go  together,  then  there  is  safety. 
We  must  study  the  "Word  by  the  Spirit,  praying  for 
the  Spirit,  relying  upon  the  Spirit,  for  it  is  he  who 
will  thus  guide  us  into  all  truth,  and  where  the  Spirit 
dwells,  there  the  "Word  dwells.  And  so  another  old 
navigator  says,  Thy  "Word  have  I  hid  in  mine  heart, 
that  I  might  not  sin  against  thee.48  He  does  not  say 
that  he  had  it  merely  painted  astern,  or  on  the  figure- 

«*  John  xvii.  17.  «  Jer.  xv.  16.  ««  Ezek.  xlvii.  12. 

41  John  rvi.  13.  *"  Psa.  cxix.  11. 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         107 

head,  or  on  the  sides  of  the  ship,  or  wrought  into  the 
flag,  but  hid  away  with  the  Spirit  in  the  heart. 
There  in  the  heart,  is  where  all  sin  comes  from,  and 
so  he  says,  Hid  in  my  heart,  that  I  might  not  sin 
against  thee.  With  some  men  the  Word  is  all  paint, 
but  with  good  Christians  it  is  inside  work,  work  in 
the  heart ;  life  and  not  paint  merely. 

JOHN. — That  is  just  what  I  would  say.  And  now 
let  us  evermore  remember,  that  there  is  no  safety  but 
in  heartfelt  reverence  of  the  Word,  and  reliance  upon 
it.  What  could  we  do,  if  we  laid  aside  the  King's 
Chart,  and  trusted  to  the  compass  only  ?  Or  if  we 
had  the  Chart  only,  without  the  compass,  what  could 
we  do?  But  the  compass  shows  us  where  we  are 
upon  the  Chart,  and  the  Chart  shows  us  whither  we 
are  moving  by  the  compass.  Then  we  take  our  hea- 
venly observations,  having  the  Earnest  of  the  Spirit 
in  our  hearts.43  But  if  we  cut  loose  from  these  depen- 
dencies then  we  go  astray,  then  we  would  be  sure  to 
make  shipwreck  of  our  souls.  Did  yon  ever  play  at 
flying  of  kites,  when  you  were  a  boy  ? 

PETER.— What  man,  that  ever  was  a  boy,  did  not  ? 
AVhy,  you  bring  to  mind  in  that  word  all  the  sports 
of  childhood.  My  boy's  kite!  How  I  used  to  start 
it  on  the  green,  and  then,  when  the  wind  was  high, 
and  the  kite  had  gone  almost  out  of  sight  into  the 

49  2  Cor.  i.  22. 


108  A   KEEL   IN   A    BOTTLE, 

blue  firmament,  we  would  send  messengers  fluttering 
along  the  string  after  it ! 

JOHN. — Well,  did  you  ever  think  of  its  being  the 
confinement  by  the  string,  which  along  with  the  wind 
was  the  only  thing  that  kept  your  kite  soaring,  for  the 
moment  you  let  it  loose,  down  it  would  come,  flutter- 
ing, waving,  tumbling.  You  had  to  hold  it  in,  or  it 
would  have  been  ruined.  Just  so  it  is  with  our 
minds,  if  they  be  cut  loose  from  God's  Word.  It  is 
the  Spirit  that  makes  them  soar,  if  they  truly  rise  at 
all  ;  but  only  while  they  keep  fast  to  God's  Word. 
If  they  cut  loose  from  that,  then  they  go  into  all 
imaginable  foolish,  wicked,  and  unbelieving  fancies, 
and  then  go  tumbling  into  utter  ruin.  I  can  tell  you 
a  fine  parable  between  the  kite  and  our  hearts,  with 
their  dependence  on  God.  It  was  written  by  an  old 
Sea  Captain,  who  is  now  praising  God  in  heaven ; 
but  he  was  himself  as  a  brand  plucked  from  the 
burning.  Hear  his  lines.  Tis  not  a  long  yarn,  but 
a  right  good  and  wise  one,  and  well  spun.  Tis 
entitled, — 

THE  KITE; 

OR,     PRIDE     MUST     HAVE     A     FALL. 

Once  on  a  time  a  paper  kite 
Was  mounted  to  a  wondrous  height, 
Where,  giddy  with  its  elevation, 
i     It  thus  expressed  self-admiration  : — 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          109 

u  See,  how  yon  crowds  of  gazing  people 
Admire  my  flight  above  the  steeple  ! 
How  would  they  wonder,  if  they  knew 
All  that  a  kite  like  me  can  do ! 

"  Were  I  but  free,  I'd  take  a  flight, 
And  pierce  the  clouds  beyond  their  sight. 
But  ah !  like  a  poor  prisoner  bound, 
My  string  confines  me  near  the  ground, 
I'd  brave  the  eagle's  towering  wing, 
Might  I  but  fly  without  a  string." 

It  tugged  and  pulled,  while  thus  it  spoke, 
To  break  the  string  ; — at  last  it  broke. 
Deprived  at  once  of  all  its  stay, 
In  vain  it  tried  to  soar  away, 
Unable  its  own  weight  to  bear, 
It  fluttered  downward  through  the  air ; 
Unable  its  own  course  to  guide, 
The  winds  soon  plunged  it  in  the  tide. 
Ah  foolish  kite  !  thou  hadst  no  wing, 
How  couldst  thou  fly  without  a  string  ? 

My  heart  replied,  0  Lord  I  see 
How  much  this  kite  resembles  me  ! 
Forgetful  that  by  thee  I  stand, 
Impatient  of  thy  ruling  hand, 
How  oft  I've  wished  to  break  the  lines 
Thy  wisdom  for  my  lot  assigns ! 
How  oft  indulged  a  vain  desire, 
For  something  more,  or  something  higher ! 
And,  but  for  grace  and  love  divine, 
A  fall  thus  dreadful  had  been  mine. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

FISHING   FOE  PEARLS,    AND   CATCHING  ICEBERGS. 

THE  change  from  the  South  Pole  to  the  North  is 
hardly  greater  than  that  which  befel  our  navigators, 
soon  after  all  this  gracious  experience.  It  seemed 
almost  impossible  that  such  a  change  could  come. 
The  mercy  of  the  Lord  was  now  so  great,  and  they 
enjoyed  so  much  in  Christian  communion,  conversing 
by  the  way,  their  hearts  burning  within  them  in  love 
to  the  Redeemer,  with  bright  anticipations  of  the 
Celestial  City,  that  sometimes,  unless  their  senses 
deceived  them,  they  thought  they  could  verily  see, 
far,  far  away  over  the  ocean,  at  the  point  where  the 
horizon  was  lost  in  heaven,  the  gates  shining,  and 
the  domes  and  spires  rising.  Often  and  long  did 
they  gaze  towards  the  appearance,  which  sometimes 
they  caught  at  noon,  and  sometimes  in  the  evening  just 
at  sunset ;  and  sometimes  a  sound  as  of  very  distant 
heavenly  melodies  would  come  floating  over  the  waves, 


A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE.  Ill 

entrancing  all  their  sensibilities.  On  such  occasions 
it  seemed  to  them  as  if  they  were  not  far  from  the 
end  of  their  voyage,  and  had  no  more  perils  or  diffi- 
culties to  encounter.  But  as  before  the  lovely  wea- 
ther had  thrown  them  off  their  watch,  so  now  these 
fair-enchanting  scenes,  and  continued  prosperous 
breezes,  lulled  them  in  security. 

A  sense  of  security  is  always  a  dangerous  and 
false  thing  at  sea,  and  the  more  secure  men  feel, 
the  less  secure  they  are.  An  uninterrupted  continu- 
ance of  blessings  sometimes  provokes  an  imagination 
of  permanent  safety,  which  is  almost  as  bad  as  the 
insensibility  produced  by  prayerlessness  and  care- 
lessness. Indeed,  it  may  make  the  soul  so  dependent 
upon  God's  blessing,  instead  of  God  himself,  and 
withal  so  neglectful  of  prayer,  by  little  and  little,  as 
to  give  the  Adversary  of  the  Soul,  a  great  advantage 
in  laying  snares,  or  in  sudden  assaults,  or  in  gradual 
and  unsuspected  temptations.  By  reason  of  these 
things,  instead  of  being  able  to  follow  our  navigators 
still  on  their  onward  progress  serenely  over  the  deep, 
we  have  to  trace  them,  after  no  long  interval,  strug- 
gling among  icebergs. 

The  ship  went  into  that  peril,  partly  from  neglect 
of  her  directions.  She  was  to  have  kept  her  course, 
according  to  the  Chart  and  required  navigation, 
Southward  by  the  Isles  of  Contrition,  where  a  warm 


112  A    REEL   IN  A  BOTTLE, 

trade-wind  would  have  taken  her  on  a  steady  pull  for 
very  many  leagues,  and  carried  her  entirely  beyond 
that  danger.  But  it  is  well  known  that  Northward 
from  those  Isles  there  are  great  fishing-grounds  for 
pearls,  where,  in  favorable  seasons,  much  wealth 
may  be  made,  or  cargoes  gained,  that  can  be  disposed 
of  to  great  advantage  elsewhere.  The  position  of 
those  banks  is  uncertain,  and  the  Pilgrims  did  not 
intend  to  make  for  them,  and  if  they  had  had  any 
such  idea,  they  could  never  have  been  aware  how  far 
off  from  their  true  course  a  visit  thither  would  take 
them. 

But  one  day  it  so  happened  that  they  hove  in  sight 
of  a  strange  sail,  whose  course  seemed  to  be  in  that 
direction,  though  they  tried  all  the  signals  in  the 
King's  Book  for  telegraphing,  but  could  not  make 
her  out,  and  her  rig,  so  far  as  they  could  tell  by  the 
glass,  was  not  of  the  Celestial  Country.  However, 
as  it  would  cause  but  little  delay,  they  concluded  to 
trim  the  ship  and  put  up  the  helm  so  as  to  lay  her 
athwart  the  strange  sail,,  that  they  might  speak  with 
her.  In  a  little  time  they  got  near  enough  to  hail. 
So  they  hailed,  and  the  Captain  answered  that  she 
was  a  merchantman  from  the  Country  of  GAIN-IS- 
GoDLDfEss,  seeking  goodly  pearls. 

Now  if  they  had  not  been  thrown  off  their  watch, 
the  very  name  of  the  vessel  might  have  bethought 


FOR  JACK   m   THE   DOLDRUMS.  113 

them  of  a  warning  laid  down  in  the  Chart ;  for  it  was 
there  as  plain  as  day,  and  they  afterwards  found  and 
remembered  it.  But  before  they  took  time  to  ex- 
amine their  Chart,  and  overhaul  their  reckonings, 
they  were  in  communication  with  the  stranger,  and 
the  Captain  had  invited  them  to  come  on  board,  and 
consult  about  his  adventure  for  the  pearls. 

What  do  you  think?  said  Peter  to  John.  Shall 
we  go? 

"Why,  my  brother,  answered  John,  you  know  best, 
and  are  the  most  experienced  ;  but  I  would  be  very 
cautious  in  these  seas. 

"Well,  said  Peter,  it  is  wise  to  know  something  of 
the  ways  of  the  world,  and  we  may  have  opportuni- 
ties of  being  useful.  Besides,  we  don't  want  to  be 
discourteous  ;  and  it  can  do  no  harm  just  to  go  and 
see  the  man's  Cabin. 

But  said  John,  The  friendship  of  the  world  is 
enmity  with  God.1  Had  we  not  better  ask  him  to 
come  with  us,  for  we  can  talk  as  well  and  better 
aboard  our  own  ship,  and  more  freely. 

So  they  answered  the  Captain's  invitation  by 
inviting  him  in  their  turn,  to  come  with  them,  and 
they  would  show  him  many  things.  But  he  told 
them  that  he  had  a  supercargo  on  board,  who  could 
not  speak  their  language,  and  needed  continual 

1  James  iv.  4. 


114  A   EEEL   m   A   BOTTLE, 

looking  after,  and  that,  just  then  they  were  very  busy 
taking  account  of  stock,  so  that  it  was  not  a  conve- 
nient season ;  but  if  Peter  and  John  would  do  him 
the  honor  to  come  on  board  and  partake  of  a  plain 
dinner  of  tongues  and  sounds,  he  would  be  extremely 
happy  of  their  company. 

So,  not  to  be  obstinate,  they  concluded  to  accept 
the  invitation,  and  ordered  the  boat  to  be  lowered. 
Just  as  they  were  stepping  down  into  it,  two  of  the 
crew,  named  "Watchful,  and  Mind-the  things-ef-the- 
Spirit,  together  with  the  men  Contrition  and  Sincere, 
before  spoken  of,  as  having  done  such  good  service 
with  the  pumps,  made  bold  to  press  forward  for  a 
word  with  Peter  ;  and  indeed  he  would  have  waited 
to  hear  whether  they  had  anything  to  say,  for  all  the 
communion  with  the  crew  on  board  the  King's  ship 
was  kind,  confiding  and  affectionate  in  the  greatest 
degree  ;  but  they,  perceiving  that  they  were  a  little 
too  late,  and  fearing  to  be  out  of  order,  drew  back. 
But  there  was  much  anxiety  and  whispering  about 
the  matter,  and  they  did  not  feel  easy  till  Peter 
and  John  came  on  board  again,  nor  even  then. 

Meantime,  Captain  Demetrius,  for  that  was  his 
name,  received  Peter  and  John  with  great  cordiality, 
and  they  found  him  a  most  agreeable,  friendly,  and 
well-spoken  man,  and  all  things  aboard  ship  looked 
in  excellent  good  trim,  and  exceedingly  comfortable. 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         115 

As  they  examined  the  compass,  however,  they  could 
not  help  observing  that  it  did  not  bear  the  King's 
mark,  nevertheless,  it  looked  like  a  fine  instrument. 
The  Chart  bore  the  King's  name,  but  did  not  seem  to 
have  been  handled  or  studied  at  all ;  and  indeed  it 
was  true  that  they  had  on  board  a  smaller  chart,  con 
densed  and  abridged  from  the  firm  of  Expediency 
and  Company,  which  for  convenience'  sake,  could  be 
carried  in  the  pocket,  so  that  they  rarely  troubled 
themselves  to  consult  the  other.  The  Barometer 
looked  entirely  new,  and  it  had  a  trick  of  stopping  at 
fair  weather,  so  that  in  any  time  of  real  danger  it 
could  be  of  little  practical  use.  Nevertheless,  it  was 
a  bright  and  polished  instrument,  and  had  the  effect 
of  putting  all  hands  in  a  pleasant  feeling  of  security, 
which  kept  them  quiet  and  half-happy  for  the  present, 
and  made  them  shut  their  eyes  upon  the  future. 

The  Supercargo's  name  was  Alexander;  he  had 
been  a  coppersmith  in  Asia,4  but  had  left  his  trade 
for  the  pearl-fishery,  as  being  more  lucrative.  He 
was  not  introduced  to  Peter  and  John,  but  the 
Captain  opened  a  secret  drawer,  and  commanded  the 
man  to  show  some  rare  pearls  there  carefully  hidden, 
any  two  of  which,  he  said,  were  worth  enough  to  buy 
the  whole  vessel.  Then  Peter,  seeing  the  trembling 
eagerness  of  the  man,  as  he  handled  the  pearls, 

8  2  Tim.  iv.  14. 


116  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

X 

remembered  the  passage,  And  covetousness,  which  is 
idolatry,9  and  John  called  to  mind  the  expression, 
Sirs,  ye  know  that  how  by  this  craft  we  have  our  wealth.* 
So  they  enquired  of  Captain  Demetrius,  if  he  could 
show  them  the  pearl  of  great  price,  or  knew  anything 
about  it.  Then  he  confessed  that  he  had  it  not, 
though  he  had  heard  of  its  value,  and  it  was  his 
intention,  so  soon  as  he  had  made  one  or  two  voyages 
more,  to  find  it ;  but  he  declared  that  for  the  present 
his  whole  time  had  to  be  given  to  his  employers,  for 
the  vessel  was  not  his  own,  and  he  was  not  at  liberty 
to  neglect  her  interests. 

Then  they  asked  him  if  he  could  tell  them  what  it 
would  profit  a  man,  if  he  gained  the  whole  world  and 
lost  his  own  soul,  or  what  a  man  could  give  in  exchange 
for  his  soul  T  Then  Captain  Demetrius  answered 
that  that  was  all  true,  and  that  such  a  great  interest 
ought  to  be  attended  to,  but  at  the  same  time  that  a 
man  must  live,  and  support  his  family. 

But,  said  Peter,  know  you  not  that  the  gospel 
commands  you  to  seek  first  the  kingdom  of  God  and 
his  righteousness,  and  all  these  things  shall  be  added 
unto  you  ?'  Moreover,  The  love  of  money  is  the  root 
of  all  evil.7 

Aye,   aye,   answered  the   Captain  ;    the   love  of 

1  Col.  iii.  5.      *  Acts  xix.  25.       »Mark  viii.  36,  37.      6Matt.  vi.  33. 
T 1  Tim.  vi.  10. 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDBUMS.         117 

money  ;  but  the  money  itself  is  not  evil,  but  may  be 
very  good,  and  used  for  very  good  purposes.  Then 
he  pulled  out  of  his  pocket  the  chart  aforesaid,  and 
demonstrated  by  it  that  the  nearest  fishing  station 
was  so  close  upon  the  course  the  King's  ships  were 
running,  that  it  would  require  hardly  any  perceptible 
change  out  of  that  course  to  come  to  it ;  so  that  if 
they  chose  to  do  so,  they  could  easily  visit  it,  and  see 
what  was  doing  there,  and  a  few  pearls,  more  or  less, 
could  not  encumber  them,  and  might  be  of  great 
advantage  to  them  in  strange  ports. 

Now  these  words  troubled  Peter  and  John,  and 
stayed  by  them  even  after  the  conference  was  ended, 
and  they  had  got  back  to  their  own  ship.  They  did 
not  mean  to  neglect  their  voyage,  nor  go  out  of  the 
way,  but  yet  they  had  half  a  mind  to  see  the  pearl 
fisheries,  and  the  more  they  thought  upon  the  matter, 
the  stronger  this  desire  grew  in  their  hearts,  and  they 
thought  as  this  would  probably  be  the  only  opportu- 
nity they  would  ever  have,  it  seemed  a  pity  to  neglect 
it.  With  this  feeling,  they  let  the  merchantman 
part  company  for  the  present,  intending  themselves 
to  keep  much  more  directly  on  their  own  course  than 
he  was  minded  to  go.  However,  they  knew  not 
what  they  were  doing,  in  altering  their  helm  even  a 
single  quarter  of  a  point ;  so  that  they  were  in  great 
danger. 


118  A  EEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

For,  of  the  currents  in  those  parts  they  were  quite 
ignorant ;  and  although  the  children  of  this  world, 
being  wiser  in  their  generation  than  the  children  of 
light,8  could  take  advantage  of  those  currents,  and 
trim  in  such  manner  as  to  be  carried  by  them  more 
directly  to  the  fishing-banks,  yet  it  required  a  wide 
berth,  and  perfect  freedom  in  consulting  the  main 
chance.  Now  the  main  chance  of  the  King's  ship 
lay  in  keeping  as  strait  as  possible  for  the  Celestial 
Country,  and  to  that  they  were  resolved  to  adhere, 
nor  would  they  ever  have  dared  to  turn  manifestly 
from  it.  But  they  did  not  give  sufficient  heed,  nor 
did  they  remember  sufficiently  the  caution,  Pray 
that  ye  enter  not  into  temptation.'  They  should 
have  minded  beforehand  what  they  thought  upon 
afterwards  with  great  bitterness,  He.  that  despiseth 
little  things,  by  little  and  little  shall  he  fall.10  There 
was  also  one  of  the  King's  own  proverbs  in  the  gos- 
pel, which  they  might  have  heeded,  Behold  how 
great  a  matter  a  little  fire  kindleth  I11  For  a  very 
little  deviation  at  first,  grew  greater  shortly,  till  in  a 
few  days  they  quite  lost  the  trade  breeze,  and  then, 
under  the  power  of  a  gulf  stream,  of  which  they 
never  dreamed  being  in  the  neighborhood,  they  were 
carried  unawares  rapidly  northward. 

Moreover,  they  began  to  encounter  fogs,  and  the 

*Lukexvi.  8.    'Matt.  xxvi.  41.     MEccles.  xix.  1.      "  James  iii.  5. 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         119 

air  grew  so  cold,  and  begat  in  them  such  a  torpor  of 
the  system,  that  it  was  almost  as  bad  upon  the  crew 
as  if  they  had  had  the  scurvy.  They  could  hardly 
summon  energy  enough  to  work  the  ship ;  and  yet, 
as  the  event  proved,  there  never  was  need  of  greater 
activity.  They  knew  not  where  they  were,  for  they 
could  not  get  an  observation,  by  reason  of  the  thick 
weather,  and  they  had  lost  their  reckoning  again,  by 
not  knowing  the  currents,  and  the  barometer  was 
falling,  and  they  heard  strange  rumbling  noises  in  the 
direction  towards  which  they  were  now  hastening. 
In  fact,  the  gloom  had  already  settled  down  in  their 
hearts,  and  they  began  to  be  full  of  anxiety  and  black 
forebodings,  when  in  the  night,  about  midnight,  in 
thick  darkness,  a  grating  noise  sounded  under  the 
keel  of  the  vessel,  and  repeated  shocks  were  felt 
from  the  striking  of  loose  huge  masses  of  ice,  which, 
as  soon  as  the  dawn  broke,  were  seen  floating  all 
•around  them,  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach.  They 
had  never  met  with  anything  of  the  kind  before,  and 
the  prospect  was  gloomy  and  terrible.  The  sense  of 
desolation  in  the  souls  of  the  whole  ship's  company 
was  almost  the  experience  of  despair;  the  hope,  and 
almost  the  very  thought  of  the  Celestial  Country 
died  away. 

But  distress  would  neither  clear  up  the  weather, 
nor  melt  the  ice,  though  it  was  a  great  mercy  that  they 


120  A  REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

now  were  thoroughly  awakened  to  a  sense  of  the 
great  evil  they  had  brought  upon  themselves.  But  it 
soon  came  on  to  snow,  and  day  and  night  the  flakes 
filled  the  air,  silent  and  solemn,  for  there  was  little 
or  no  wind,  and  the  storm  fell  heavy,  gloomy,  and 
damp,  and  while  that  continued,  they  could  no  longer 
see  the  ship's  length  before  them,  though  even  if 
they  could  have  seen  clearly,  they  could  have  done 
nothing,  nor  prevented  the  evil.  They  were  getting 
deeper  and  deeper  embayed  in  blocks  and  bergs  of 
ice,  to  the  great  hazard  of  the  ship,  especially  if  the 
wind  should  rise,  and  a  gale  take  them.  Now  they 
would  have  given  the  whole  pearl  fisheries,  if  they 
had  had  them  to  give,  for  a  clear  open  area,  back  to 
the  point  where  they  hailed  the  merchantman ;  but 
no  open  sea  was  any  longer  visible. 

And  now  the  weather  began  to  be  so  intensely 
cold,  that  the  fire  in  the  cabin  hardly  seemed  to 
warm  the  air  in  the  least.  They  thought  they  must 
have  perished,  and  the  only  way  of  preservation  was 
by  constant  activity  and  watchfulness,  for  as  soon  as 
the  system  yielded  to  the  desire  of  sleep,  it  was 
almost  certain  death,  if  they  were  in  an  exposed  con- 
dition. O  now  they  thought,  if  they  could  once  get 
back  to  the  warm  steady  breezes,  and  the  clear  sunny 
air,  that  had  been  so  sweet  to  them,  nothing  should 
ever  again  tempt  them  out  of  the  way.  But  still  the 


FOK  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         121 

cold  continued,  and  at  length  it  seemed  to  them  that 
the  ship  was  quite  immovable,  and  the  whole  region 
around  them  seemed  to  have  become  one  solid  conti- 
nent of  ice.  If  left  thus,  they  must  perish. 

And  now  they  felt  that  God  only  could  help  them, 
and  they  were  reduced  to  such  a  state,  that  help  must 
come  soon,  or  they  never  could  be  recovered.  They 
had  renewed  seasons  for  fasting  and  prayer,  and  in 
the  course  of  these  exercises  they  sang ;  but  it  was  a 
strange  thing  to  hear  the  melancholy  melody  amidst 
that  frozen  sea,  for  indeed  it  was  a  melancholy  strain, 
though  not  utterly  hopeless. 

Where  is  the  blessedness  I  knew 

When  first  I  saw  the  Lord  ? 
Where  is  the  soul-refreshing  view 

Of  Jesus,  and  his  Word. 

What  peaceful  hours  I  once  enjoyed ! 

How  sweet  their  memory  still! 
But  they  have  left  an  aching  void, 

The  world  can  never  fill. 

Return,  O  Holy  Dove,  return ! 

Sweet  messenger  of  rest! 
I  hate  the  sins  that  made  thee  mourn, 

And  drove  thee  from  my  breast. 

They  still  endeavored  to  trust  in  the  Lord,  and 
encouraged  ( themselves  by  remembering  his  Word 
of  Mercy ;  Only  return  unto  me,  saith  the  Lord.11 

"Mai.  iii.  7. 
6 


122  A   BEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

They  thought  of  that  passage,  O  Israel,  thou  hast 
destroyed  thyself,  but  in  me  is  thy  help.13  They 
turned  over  the  records,  made  diligent  search,  and 
considered  the  days  of  old,14  to  see  if  any  had  ever 
fallen  into  such  a  condition  and  been  released.  They 
communed  with  their  own  heart,  and  cried  out,  "Will 
the  Lord  cast  off  for  ever  ?  and  will  he  be  favorable 
no  more  ?  Is  his  mercy  clean  gone  for  ever  ?  doth 
his  promise  fail  for  evermore  ?  Hath  God  forgotten 
to  be  gracious  ?  hath  he  in  anger  shut  up  his  tender 
mercies  ?15 

Then  they  found  also  the  place  where  it  says,  If 
any  man  sin,  we  have  an  Advocate  with  the  Father, 
Jesus  Christ  the  righteous.18  If  we  confess  our  sins, 
he  is  faithful  and  just  to  forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to 
cleanse  us  from  all  unrighteousness." 

And  looking  again,  they  found  the  log-book  of  one, 
who  said,  He  hath  set  me  in  dark  places,  as  they 
that  be  dead  of  old.  He  hath  hedged  me  about,  that 
I  cannot  get  out;  he  hath  made  my  chain  heavy. 
Also  when  I  cry  and  shout,  he  shutteth  out  my 
prayer.  He  hath  enclosed  my  ways  with  hewn  stone, 
he  hath  made  my  paths  crooked.  And  I  said,  my 
strength  and  my  hope  is  perished  from  the  Lord.18 

O  my  brother,  cried  Peter,  and  the  tears  filled  his 

a  Hos.  xiii.  9.  "  Psa.  Ixxvii.  5.  u  Psa.  Ixxvii.  7-10. 

18 1  John  ii.  1.  "  1  John  i.  ix.  *  Lam.  iii.  6,  7,  8,  9 ;  18. 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         123 

eyes,  so  that  he  could  read  no  further,  Was  not  this 
poor  man's  case  at  least  as  desperate  as  ours  ?  And 
yet  he  lived  to  record  these  things  for-  others.  Let 
us  not  despair. 

No !  answered  John,  for  whereas  this  coldness 
and  gloom  are  dreadful  indeed,  yet  there  is  nothing 
too  hard  for  God;  but  unbelief  and  despair  are 
destruction.  If  you  read  a  little  further,  you  will 
find  him,  saying,  The  Lord  will  not  cast  off  for  ever, 
but  though  he  cause  grief,  yet  will  he  have  compas- 
sion according  to  the  multitude  of  his  mercies." 

Then  Peter  wiped  the  tears  from  his  eyes,  and 
read  on.  It  is  of  the  Lord's  mercies  that  we  are  not 
consumed,  because  his  compassions  fail  not.  They 
are  new  every  morning ;  great  is  thy  faithfulness. 
The  Lord  is  my  portion,  saith  my  soul,  therefore, 
will  I  hope  in  him.  The  Lord  is  good  unto  them 
that  wait  for  him,  to  the  soul  that  seeketh  him."0 

Then  they  set  themselves  anew  to  seeking  God, 
and  continued  long  time  in  prayer  and  supplication 
with  great  earnestness  ;  and  it  came  to  pass  that  even 
while  they  were  praying,  the  air  began  to  lighten, 
and  the  sun  shone  out  with  a  power  such  as  they  had 
not  experienced  for  many  days.  So  they  called  a 
council  of  all  on  board,  to  see  what  farther  could  be 
done,  and  in  that  consultation,  Contrition  and  Sincere, 

19  Lam.  iii.  31,  32.  »  Lam.  iii.  22-25. 


124:  A   KEEL  IN   A  BOTTLE, 

together  with  one  of  the  hands  called  Patience,  pro- 
posed that  they  should  take  some  of  the  small  ballast 
which  was  put  on  board  in  the  harbor  of  Good  Hope, 
and  strew  it  along  in  lines  upon  the  ice  around  and 
before  the  ship,  so  that  the  heat  of  the  sun  might 
more  readily  melt  the  ice,  in  places  where  they  could 
saw  it,  or  break  it  up.  This  they  did,  although  it 
was  evident  that  no  human  power  could  release  them 
from  their  imprisonment. 

And  now  the  ship's  company  spent  another  day  in 
fasting  and  supplication,  and  it  being  Saturday, 
Peter  and  John  remained  that  whole  night  in  prayer, 
for  they  knew  not  which  way  to  turn,  if  God  did  not 
have  mercy  upon  them.  They  called  to  mind  all  the 
promises  they  could  think  of,  and  at  length  commit- 
ted themselves  submissively  to  God,  to  do  with  them 
whatever  seemed  good  in  his  sight.  They  also  fired 
signal  guns  of  distress  at  intervals,  though  what  they 
expected  to  gain  by  that,  it  was  hard  to  see. 

Well,  in  the  course  of  Sunday,  as  they  were  still 
praying  and  confessing  their  sins,  and  bemoaning 
themselves  before  God,  Peter,  listening,  thought  he 
heard  a  bell,  though  he  thought  also  at  the  same 
time  that  he  could  not  have  heard  it,  but  that  it  must 
be  a  mere  fancy.  But  at  length  it  was  quite  certain 
that  they  did  hear  it,  and  sure  enough,  soon  after,  by 
a  crashing  movement  of  some  huge  masses  of  ice  in 


FOK  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         125 

the  direction  whence  the  sound  came,  they  saw 
clearly,  without  doubt,  a  strong  steamer  making  her 
way  towards  them. 

The  Captain  of  the  Steamer,  which  was  a  Relief 
Ship  commissioned  by  the  King,  wore  the  King's 
uniform ;  aud  the  sympathy,  kindness,  and  activity, 
with  which  he  labored  to  get  them  out  of  this  peril- 
ous condition,  showed  him  to  be  one  of  the  King's 
true  servants.  But  no  time  was  to  be  lost,  and  with 
all  their  energy  on  both  sides,  it  was  exceedingly 
difficult  to  cut  the  ship  loose  and  get  her  afloat  in  the 
passage  which  the  Steamer  had  broken  for  her. 
When  that  was  done,  a  strong  cable  was  conveyed 
from  one  vessel  to  the  other,  and  so,  by  great  care 
and  effort,  they  once  more  gained  the  open  sea,  and 
began  to  put  some  distance  between  themselves  and 
the  masses  of  ice  they  had  encountered. 

As  soon  as  this  was  done,  the  Captain  of  the 
Steamer  ordered  his  boat  to  be  lowered,  and  came  on 
board  the  King's  ship,  to  see  Peter  and  John  ;  and 
the  first  thing  he  did  was  to  look  for  the  King's 
Chart.  So  they  had  him  down  in  the  Cabin,  and 
there  spread  it  out  before  him.  Then  he  asked  them 
what  was  the  point  where  they  started  from,  and 
how  they  came  so  far  out  of  the  way,  and  with  great 
sorrow  and  humility  they  told  him  all,  and  gave  him 
the  name  of  the  merchantman  by  whom  they  had 


126  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

been  persuaded.  Then  said  he,  You  have  been 
on  the  verge  of  great  sin  and  peril,  but  the  Lord 
has  had  mercy  upon  you.  And  now  hearken  unto 
me,  and  to  the  Word  which  bids  you  beware  of  the 
perverse  disputings  of  men  of  corrupt  minds,  and 
destitute  of  the  truth,  supposing  that  gain  is  godli- 
ness ;  from  such  withdraw  thyself." 

Then  as  he  spake  these  words,  they  seemed  to 
see,  as  their  eyes  followed  his  finger  on  the  Chart, 
the  whole  warning  which  they  had  neglected,  come 
out  in  letters  of  fire,  while  he  read  on.  But 
godliness  with  contentment  is  great  gain.  For  we 
brought  nothing  into  this  world,  and  it  is  certain 
we  can  carry  nothing  out.  And  having  food  and 
raiment,  let  us  be  therewith  content.  But  they  that 
will  be  rich  fall  into  temptation  and  a  snare,  and  into 
many  foolish  and  hurtful  lusts,  which  drown  men  in 
destruction  and  perdition.  For  the  love  of  money  is 
the  root  of  all  evil ;  which,  while  some  coveted  after, 
they  have  erred  from  the  faith,  and  pierced  them' 
selves  through  with  many  sorrows." 

~Now  at  these  words  Peter  and  John  remembered 
their  own  conversation  with  the  Captain  of  the 
merchantman,  and  called  to  mind  how  they  had 
applied  part  of  this  very  warning  to  him,  but  had 
neglected  to  apply  it  also  to  themselves;  and  they 

91 1  Tim.  vi.  5.  ™  1  Tim.  vi.  6-11. 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         127 

stood  before  the  King's  Messenger  overwhelmed  with 
shame  and  contrition.  But  he  looked  lovingly  upon 
them,  and  continued, — 

But  thou,  O  man  of  God,  flee  these  things ;  and 
follow  after  righteousness,  godliness,  faith,  love, 
patience,  meekness.  Fight  the  good  fight  of  faith, 
lay  hold  on  eternal  life,  whereunto  thou  art  also 
called,  and  hast  professed  a  good  profession  before 
many  witnesses.23 

Then  Peter  and  John  thanked  him  for  his  great 
kindness  and  love,  and  moreover,  they  could  not 
help  throwing  themselves  on  their  knees,  in  the 
presence  of  all,  and  giving  thanks  to  God  for  his 
goodness,  that  he  could  have  such  compassion  upon 
them ;  and  they  besought  with  tears  that  they  might 
have  grace  to  be  kept  evermore  from  such  sin  and 
wandering.  Then  the  Master  of  the  King's  Steamer 
did  most  lovingly  embrace  them,  and  bade  them 
farewell.  And  as  he  went,  he  told  them  to  beware 
of  pride,  and  to  be  clothed  with  humility,  for  that 
God  resisteth  the  proud,  and  giveth  grace  to  the 
humble.24  Also  he  said,  Let  your  conversation  be 
without  covetousness,  and  be  content  with  such 
things  as  ye  have,  for  He  hath  said,  I  will  never 
leave  thee,  nor  forsake  thee." 

And  now,  as  soon  as  the  Relief  Ship  had  passed 

23 1  Tim.  vi.  11,  12.  54 1  Pet.  v.  5-  ro  Heb.  xiii.  5. 


128  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

out  of  sight,  they  began  to  see  and  to  feel  more 
clearly  and  vividly  what  a  mercy  it  was  that  the 
Telief  had  come  as  it  did ;  for  that  very  night  after 
their  deliverance,  a  tremendous  storm  arose,  which 
set  the  frozen  space  in  such  commotion,  that  they 
must  have  *een  dashed  in  pieces  had  they  been  then 
among  the  icebergs.  They  knew  that,  well,  and 
they  called  to  mind  with  thankfulness -that  the  gale 
which  was  now  driving  them  back  to  the  right 
course,  must  have  sunk  them  in  the  bottom  of  the 
sea,  had  it  come  upon  them  in  their  cold  and  terrible 
imprisonment.  They  thought  of  David's  prayer, 
Bring  my  soul  out  of  prison,  that  I  may  praise  thy 
name.28  The  storm  increased  till  it  was  almost  a 
hurricane,  but  still  it  was  fair  weather  to  them,  in 
comparison  with  the  terror  of  such  gloom  as  they  had 
encountered.  For  now  the  light  of  God's  forgiving 
mercy  was  shining,  and  they  were  ready  to  exclaim, 

The  tempests  that  rise, 
Shall  gloriously  hurry  our  souls  to  the  skies  ! 

But  indeed  they  were  in  great  peril,  and  were 
driven  under  bare  poles  through  such  a  raging  sea, 
that  sometimes  it  seemed  as  if  the  ship  was  going 
under  the  waves  bodily,  never  again  to  rise.  At 
length  there  seemed  a  slight  lull  in  the  tempest,  and 

26  Psa.  cxlii.  7. 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         129 

the  ship  was  so  far  steady,  that  they  ventured  to 
gather  for  prayer,  and  not  only  so,  but  sent  up  a  song 

amidst  the  roaring  of  the  elements,  for  they  had  a 

• 

heart  to  sing  as  well  as  to  pray,  and  they  thanked 
God  even  for  a  hurricane,  if  it  would  snatch  them 
from  temptation. 

The  billows  swell,  the  winds  are  high, 

Clouds  overcast  my  wintry  sky  ; 

Out  of  the  depths  to  thee  I  call, 

My  fears  are  great,  my  strength  is  small. 

0  Lord,  the  Pilot's  part  perform, 
And  guide  and  guard  me  through  the  storm; 
Defend  me  from  each  threatening  ill, 
Control  the  waves,  say,  Peace,  be  still ! 

Amidst  the  roaring  of  the  sea 
My  soul  still  hangs  her  hopes  on  thee  ; 
Thy  constant  love,  thy  faithful  care, 
Is  all  that  saves  me  from  despair. 

Dangers  of  every  shape  and  name 
Attend  the  followers  of  the  Lamb, 
Who  leave  the  world's  deceitful  shore, 
And  leave  it  to  return  no  more. 

Though  tempest-tossed,  and  half  a  wreck, 
My  Saviour  through  the  floods  I  seek ; 
Let  neither  winds  nor  stormy  main 
Force  back  my  shattered  bark  again. 

6* 


CHAPTER  YIL 

POMEGRANATE   HAKBOR,    AND   THE   HALL  OF  REVE- 
LATION8. 

Now  as  they  pursued  their  course,  humble  and 
penitent,  and  rejoicing  in  the  Divine  goodness,  they 
beheld,  one  fine  day,  an  Island  rising  before  them, 
which  they  found,  on  examining  the  Chart,  to  be  the 
Island  of  the  Communion  of  Saints.  They  were 
exceedingly  glad  at  this,  for  there  was  a  noble  harbor 
in  that  Island,  where  they  were  to  stop  for  a  season, 
and  receive  fresh  water  and  provisions ;  and  here 
also  they  could  feel  secure,  being  in  one  of  the  King's 
own  ports.  It  was  a  sweet  day  as  they  entered  the 
Harbor,  and  behold,  the  flags  of  very  many  nations 
were  flying,  with  the  King's  flag  high  above  them 
all,  a  sight  which  it  did  the  heart  good  to  look  upon. 
The  Harbor  they  found  was  large  enough  to  hold  all 
the  fleets  of  the  whole  world,  and  never  had  they 
beheld  so  magnificent  and  goodly  a  scene.  Moreover, 


A    REEL    IN  A  BOTTLE.  131 

it  was  surrounded  by  mountains,  green  and  wooded 
to  the  very  tops,  sheltering  it  from  every  wind  that 
could  blow,  so  that  there  was  nothing  to  be  compared 
with  it  for  safety  and  beauty. 

Here  the  crews  of  the  ships  that  visited  the  place 
were  regaled,  as  long  as  they  stayed,  with  choice 
grapes  from  the  King's  own  vineyards,  and  apples 
most  delicious  to  the  taste.  Here  were  trees,  whose 
fruit  was  for  meat,  and  the  leaves  for  medicine.1  Here 

X 

were  orchards  of  pomegranates,  with  pleasant  fruits, 
spikenard,  cinnamon,  and  all  trees  of  frankincense, 
myrrh,  and  aloes,  with  all  the  chief  spices."  Here  were 
fig-trees,  with  ripe  delicious  figs,  also  fragrant  vines 
with  many  kinds  of  grapes,  also  the  flowers  appeared 
upon  the  earth,  and  the  singing  of  the  birds  made  the 
air  melodious.  There  was  a  fountain  of  gardens,  and 
a  well  of  springing  waters,  and  there  were  streams 
from  the  mountains,  and  whether  the  North  or  the 
South  winds  blew  upon  the  gardens  with  their  beds 
of  spices,  the  fragrance  went  forth  upon  the  sea.* 

In  this  region  all  that  came  in  the  name  of  the 
King  were  welcome,  and  they  were  entertained  at 
the  King's  own  expense,  so  that  everything  reminded 
them  of  his  loving  kindness.  There  was  a  grand 
banqueting  house  of  cedar  and  fir,  where  the  guests 
assembled  with  holy  joy,  and  ate  and"  drank  in 

1  Ezek.  xlvii.  12.  '-  Cantic.  iv.  14.  "Cant.  ix.  15. 


132  A    REEL   IN    A    BOTTLE, 

memory  of  the  sufferings  and  death  of  their  King. 
It  was  a  spacious,  vast,  magnificent  temple,  in  the 
midst  of  an  open  plain  at  the  foot  of  the  mountains, 
sloping  down,  green  and  beautiful,  to  the  very  bor- 
ders of  the  harbor.  In  that  House  they  spake  a 
language  that  all  understood,  from  whatever  nation 
under  heaven  the  guests  might  have  been  gathered, 
and  it  was  said  to  be  a  dialect- very  like  the  language 
of  the  Celestial  Country,  a  dialect  taught  of  God,  and 
understood  only  by  the  Spirit  of  God. 

Now  in  this  House  there  was  a  large  Room,  the 
sides  of  which  were  all  filled  with  round  windows, 
through  which  those  that  looked  could  see  grand 
instructive  panoramas  of  various  scenes.  It  was  a 
place  where  one  might  have  studied  all  his  life-time, 
and  still  found  something  always  new,  instructive, 
and  entertaining.  But  though  the  windows  were  the 
same  to  everybody,  yet  the  wonders  that  were  seen 
depended  very  much  upon  the  state  of  mind  in  the 
persons  that  looked  through  them ;  and  some  would 
go  away,  having  seen  very  little,  while  others  could 
never  be  tired  nor  satisfied  with  gazing,  and  some 
were  ready  to  exclaim  with  Peter  on  the  Mount,  Let 
us  build  here  three  tabernacles,1  and  never  more 
depart  from  such  blissful  visions.  But  some  went 
away  as  ignorant  as  they  came  ;  for  they,  are  not  all 

JMatt  xvii.  4. 


FOE   JACK    m    THE    DOLDRUMS.  133 

Israel,  which  are  of  Israel  ?  and  the  natural  man 
receiveth  not  the  things  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  for 
they  are  foolishness  with  him  ;  neither  can  he  know 
them,  because  they  are  spiritually  discerned.* 

Over  the  door  of  this  room  was  written  in  large 
golden  shining  letters  this  motto :  OPEN  THOU  MIKE 

EYES,    THAT    I    MAY    BEHOLD    WONDKOUS    THINGS    OUT    OP 

THY  LAW.*  Moreover,  the  -Keeper  of  this  room,  who 
was  a  grave,  but  very  affable  and  gentle  personage, 
encouraged  all  the  visitors,  saying,  Eye  hath  not  seen, 
nor  ear  heard,  neither  have  entered  into  the  heart  of 
man,  the  things  which  God  hath  prepared  for  them 
that  love  him,  but  God  hath  revealed  them  unto  us 
by  his  Spirit ;  for  the  Spirit  searcheth  all  things,  yea 
the  deep  things  of  God.5  He  also  told  them,  If  any 
man  think  that  he  knoweth  anything,  he  knoweth 
nothing  yet  as  he  ought  to  know.' 

Now  when  Peter  and  John  came  into  this  room, 
the  Keeper  of  it  looked  pleasantly  upon  them,  and 
kindly  and  lovingly  bade  them  welcome,  and  forth- 
with carried  them  to  a  place,  where  was  a  succession 
of  very  important  sea-views  to  be  seen,  besides  other 
things  full  of  instruction,  and  bade  them  look 
earnestly.  Then  they  looked,  and  saw  a  ship,  riding 
in  a  storm  at  night,  tossed  fearfully  by  the  tempest ; 

9  Rom.  ix.  6.  '1  Cor.  ii-  14.  4  Psa.  cxix.  18. 

8 1  Cor.  il  9, 10.  §  1  Cor.  viii.  2. 


134  A    REEL   IN   A    BOTTLE, 

and  making  for  a  light  that  blazed  upon  the  coast, 
which  seemed  to  be  at  no  great  distance.  But  they 
saw  plainly  that  that  light  was  burning  at  a  point 
where  there  was  no  harbor,  and  nothing  but  sharp, 
perpendicular,  jagged  rocks.  Then  they  looked 
again,  and  behold  the  ship  had  struck  upon  the  reef, 
just  where  the  light  was  stationed,  and  was  breaking 
to  pieces,  with  the  sea  dashing  over  her,  and  every 
soul  perishing.  Then  their  Conductor  told  them  that 
this  was  a  representation  of  the  false  lights  that 
allured  unstable  souls  to  ruin,  pretending  to  guide 
them  to  a  safe  harbor,  where  no  harbor  was. 

But  you  perceive,  said  the  Conductor,  that  these 
lights  of  falsehood  are  various-colored  and  revolving 
lights,  whereas,  the  King's  light-houses  are  all  lighted 
with  a  light  that  shines  like  the  sun,  and  is  fixed,  and 
not  changeable.  Now  if  those  on  board  this  ship 
had  studied  the  King's  Chart,  and  kept  their  right 
reckoning,  they  would  have  known  where  they  were, 
and  would  have  been  in  no  danger  from  mistaking 
those  lights  for  the  King's  harbor.  And  if  they  had 
studied  the  Coast  Pilot,  they  would  have  known  the 
false  lights  in  a  moment.  But  those  lights  are  put 
up  to  lure  souls  to  perdition,  by  the  same  firm  that 
made  the  life-boats  of  the  yacht  you  encountered, 
Security,  Save-all  and  Company,  under  the  superin- 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         135 

tendence  of  the  Great  Adversary,  and  multitudes 
have  been  deceived  thereby. 

Then  said  John,  Many  there  be  that  cry,  Peace, 
peace !  when  there  is  no  peace.7  But  methinks  it 
would  have  been  better  and  safer  to  have  kept  out  at 
sea,  and  endeavored  to  ride  out  the  gale,  rather  than 
make  for  a  harbor  in  such  dreadful  uncertainty.  Is 
not  this  a  part  of-  that  which  is  called  the  deceivable- 
ness  of  unrighteousness  in  them  that  perish  ?8 

Yes,  said  the  Conductor,  thou  speakest  right. 
These  light-houses  are  sometimes  built  after  the 
working  of  Satan,  with  all  power,  and  signs,  and 
lying  wonders,  and  sometimes  by  handling  the  Word  of 
God  deceitfully.9  But  it  would  be  better  to  be  tossed 
in  any  storm,  be  it  ever  so  fearful,  than  to  seek  a  refuge 
that  God  hath  not  sanctioned  and  appointed.  They 
should  have  known  better.  But  Satan  had  blinded 
their  hearts  through  the  ignorance  that  was  in  them 
because  of  their  unbelief.10  And  there  be  also  those, 
whom  God  hath  given  over  to  strong  delusion  to 
believe  a  lie,  because  they  received  not  the  love  of 
the  truth,  that  they  might  be  saved.11  But  look  now 
through  this  next  window,  and  you  shall  see  another 
lesson. 

Then  they  looked  again,  and  behold  they  saw  a 

T  Jer.  vi.  14.      "2  Thess.  ii.  10       •  2  Thess  ii.  9.        I0  Eph.  iv.  18. 
"SThess.  ii.  10,  11. 


136  A  REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

ship,  noble  and  stately,  under  a  full  press  of  canvas, 
sailing  in  beauty  over  the  deep.  Oh  how  lovely  was 
the  sight,  for  the  sea,  and  the  air,  and  the  breeze 
were  glorious!  But  again  they  looked,  and  theie 
was  a  scene  of  revelry  in  the  cabin,  and  the  company 
were  eating  and  drinking,  while  the  crew  also  were 
occupied  in  a  similar  manner,  and  some  were  dancing. 
Then  again  they  looked,  after  a  moment,  and  lo,  the 
ship  was  on  fire,  and  all  was  confusion  and  terror, 
and  the  flames  darted  from  sail  to  sail,  and  licked  the 
masts,  and  flew  up  the  shrouds,  till  the  ship  was  a 
great  sheet  of  fire.  Then,  again,  once  more  they 
looked,  but  all  was  dark,  and  the  ship's  hulk  was 
floating,  burned  to  the  water's  edge,  and  not  a  living 
soul  had  escaped  the  conflagration. 

Then  exclaimed  Peter  and  John,  O  how  dreadful 
is  this ! 

Yes,  said  the  Conductor,  solemnly,  this  is  the 
representation  of  a  soul  setting  out  well,  but  not  lay- 
ing aside  besetting  sins,  nor  discovering  and  watching 
against  inward  corruptions.  One  indulgence  follows 
another,  till  the  watch  of  the  soul  is  all  neglected, 
and  through  carelessness  the  habits  of  sin  become  as 
flames  of  fire,  till  the  soul  is  destroyed  thereby.  The 
people  in  that  ship  had  been  carrying  strong  drink, 
and  indulging  themselves  in  the  use  of  it,  and  this 
has  destroyed  many  a  noble  vessel.  Let  every  man 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         137 

beware.  Beware  of  every  evil  habit.  Beware  of 
the  indulgence  of  carnal  appetites.  Beware  of  sen- 
suality. Beware  of  unchaste  thoughts,  words,  and 
actions.  There  be  those  whose  god  is  their  belly,13 
and  there  be  those  having  eyes  full  of  adultery,  and 
that  cannot  cease  from  sin,  who  shall  utterly  perish 
in  their  own  corruption.13  There  be  those  guilty  of 
unclean  conversation,  whose  tongues  are  set  on  fire 
of  hell,14  and  shall  be  grievously  tormented  for  ever 
in  that  flame.  Beware  of  secret  and  unseen  tempta- 
tions, and  mortify  your  members  which  are  upon  the 
earth,  fornication,  uncleanness,  inordinate  affection, 
and  covetousness,  which  is  idolatry,  for  which  things' 
sake  the  wrath  of  God  cometh  upon  the  children  of 
disobedience.15  Put  ye  off  all  these,  and  let  your 
speech  be  always  with  grace,  seasoned  with  heavenly 
salt.10 

Then  exclaimed  Peter,  Oh  how  many  things  do 
we  meet  at  every  turn  to  teach  us  our  danger  !  May 
the  Lord  search  us  and  try  us,  and  not  leave  us  in 
the  power  of  undiscovered  sin,  or  of  habits  of  evil 
that  cannot  be  conquered  ! 

Then  said  the  Guide,  Some  men's  sins  are  open 
beforehand,  going  before  to  judgment,  and  some  they 
follow  after.17  There  may  be  secret  sins,  that  burn 

11  Phil.  iii.  19.  13  2  Pet.  ii.  12,  14.  "James  iii.  6. 

"  Col.  iii.  5,  6.  16  Col.  iv.  6.  "  1  Tim.  v.  24. 


138  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

like  a  slow  fire,  smouldering,  half-smothered,  yet 
burning,  all  the  voyage  through.  Yicious  habit  is  a 
thing  of  awful  power.  A  navigator  once  came  into  this 
port,  after  having  been  at  sea  many  days,  with  such 
a  fire  in  the  hold,  and  they  did  not  know  when  nor 
how  it  began,  but  it  was  down  so  deep  under  the 
cargo  that  it  could  neither  be  got  at,  nor  put  out,  but 
would  burn,  in  spite  of  all  they  could  do  to  help  it, 
and  they  knew  it  was  burning  by  the  heat  and  smoke, 
and  expected  every  hour  to  see  it  burst  out  for  their 
destruction.  They  turned  great  quantities  of  water 
down  into  the  hold,  but  it  was  manifest  that  still  the 
fire  held  on,  somewhere,  and  if  they  kept  the  hatches 
open,  it  would  soon  all  be  a  bright  flame.  So  they 
shut  down  the  hatches,  and  put  the  ship  for  the  near- 
est land,  and  cried  to  God  for  deliverance. 

The  Cabin  itself  became  so  hot,  that  they  could 
hardly  stay  in  it,  and  to  keep  the  fire  as  long  as  possible 
from  breaking  out,  they  closed  the  Cabin  also  as  tight 
as  they  could  do  it.  The  decks  grew  so  hot  in  some 
parts,  that  the  pitch  fried  in  the  seams,  and  one 
would  have  thought  they  must  blaze  up  every  mo- 
ment. Day  and  night  they  could  neither  rest  nor 
sleep,  but  at  length,  through  God's  great  mercy,  they 
got  in  sight  of  land  ;  and  when  they  came  into  the  har- 
bor, it  was  found  that  though  the  fire  had,  in  a 
wondrous  manner,  (the  hatches  being  shut  upon  it) 


A   KEEL   IN    A   BOTTLE,  139 

gone  down  without  breaking  out  into  an  open  flame, 
yet  it  had  charred  the  ship  almost  to  charcoal.  The 
navigator  lost  everything  but  life,  and  had  it  not 
been  for  God's  mercy,  he  would  have  lost  that 
also. 

To  the  day  of  his  death  he  never  forgot  the  awful 
danger.  He  warned  his  fellow-sinners,  by  his  own 
experience,  and  he  told  them  in  his  own  peculiar  way 
of  illustration,  which  was  very  powerful,  that  when 
people  are  putting  up  a  bridge,  centre-pieces,  or 
wooden  frames,  are  put  under  the  arches,  while  it  is 
building,  to  support  the  masonry,  but  to  remain 
there  only  until  the  solid  arches  themselves  are  fully 
constructed  and  established.  When  that  is  once 
done,  the  wood  is  taken  away  and  burned.  And  just 
so,  the  pleasures  of  sin  are  only  the  devil's  scaffold- 
ing, to  build  a  habit  upon,  and  when  that  habit  is 
once  formed  and  steady,  then  the  pleasures  are  taken 
away,  and  sent  for  firewood,  and  the  hell  begins  in 
this  life.  And  if  it  does  not  begin  here,  so  much  the 
more  certain  to  begin  and  hold  on  hereafter. 

O  many  are  the  souls  thus  sailing  on  over  the  Sea 
of  life,  with  the  fire  of  sin  in  the  hold,  burning, 
charring,  that  never  get  into  port,  but  the  flame 
breaks  out  at  length,  and  envelop'es  them  in  a  wind- 
ing sheet  of  destruction  !  And  now,  remember,  that 
although  sensual  habits. are  the  most  perceptible  here 


140  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

in  this  world,  yet  evil  spiritual  habits,  habits  that  in 
this  world  by  most  persons  are  hardly  heeded  at  all, 
habits  of  the  neglect  of  prayer,  indiiference,  stupidity 
of  heart,  insensibility  to  sin  and  to  divine  realities, 
neglect  of  the  Saviour,  neglect  of  God's  word,  delay 
of  the  claims  of  religion,  lukewarnmess,  conformity 
to  the  world,  procrastination  ;  all  these  things  are 
the  fire  of  sin,  smouldering,  charring,  preparing  the 
whole  being  for  becoming  firewood,  for  that  fire  of 
holy  retribution,  which  if  a  man  passes  into  it,  if  he 
will  neglect  all  God's  warnings,  invitations,  entrea- 
ties, expostulations,  will  be  a  fire  in  God's  anger, 
that  shall  burn  to  the  lowest  hell. 

But  now,  added  the  Guide,  if  there  be  those  des- 
troyed by  fire,  there  is  frost  also.  Then  he  had  them, 
to  another  window,  and  bade  them  look  again,  and 
when  they  looked,  they  saw  a  scene  of  great  gloom 
and  terror,  and  it  came  so  near  their  own  experience, 
that  it  almost  curdled  the  blood  in  their  veins  to  think 
of  it.  It  was  a  vast,  dreadful,  frozen  sea,  and  a  ship 
fast  frozen  in  the  ice,  and  not  a  sign  of  life  aboard, 
but  dead  corpses  lying  on  the  deck  as  stiff  as  the 
silent  ribs  and  rocks  of  ice  about  the  vessel.  It 
seemed  as  if  the  tall,  motionless,  glaring  ice-bergs 
were  keeping  watch  over  them,  for  they  rose  on  every 
side  higher  than  the  mast-head.  Then  they  looked 
again,  and  the  cabin  was  open  before  them,  and  in 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          141 

the  cabin  were  two  men  seeming  to  be  the  Captain 
and  Mate,  seated  at  a  table,  with  a  chart  open  before 
them,  and  a  rule  and  the  compasses  in  their  hands, 
but  they  were  both  stark  dead  and  stiff  with  the  frost, 
for  death  had  come  over  them  even  there  while  they 
were  making  their  calculations. 

And  now  once  more  they  looked,  and  behold  there 
was  a  rushing  storm,  and  a  mighty  rushing  whirlwind 
among  the  ice-bergs,  so  that  they  were  tossed  and 
ground  together  against  one  another,  like  the  beams 
of  a  shattered  world,  and  the  ship  was  crushed  just 
as  if  it  had  been  an  egg-shell,  till  in  a  few  moments 
every  trace  of  her  existence,  hull,  masts,  and  every 
thing  had  utterly  disappeared. 

Then  said  the  Conductor,  ye  know  the  meaning  of 
this.  Be  humble,  and  thankful,  and  watch  ever- 
more, and  pray  without  ceasing.18 

Then  the  same  kind  and  loving  Guide  bade  them 
look  into  the  next  window,  which,  when  they  had 
done,  they  saw  what  seemed  to 'be  a  Marine  Insur- 
ance Office,  and  it  was  crowded  with  people  going  in 
and  out,  getting  underwriting  done  for  their  vessels. 
The  policies  of  insurance  pretended  to  have  the  King's 
seal,  and  also  to  secure  a  ship  against  all  possibility 
of  damage  or  loss,  and  also  to  establish  an  entire  cer- 
tainty of  a  safe  entrance  into  the  King's  haven  in  the 

18 1  Thess.  v.  17. 


A   BEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE 


Celestial  Country.  But  these  things  were  all  lies  and 
forgeries,  though  the  people  were  willing  to  trust 
their  salvation  to  them.  They  also  gave  policies  for 
ships  that  were  never  built,  receiving  risks  on  ficti- 
tious capital,  the  pretended  owners  of  which  were 
willing  to  pay  something  for  the  sake  of  deceiving 
themselves  and  others  into  the  delusion  of  great 
riches.  Over  the  door  of  this  place  there  was  the 
sign  of  the  same  firm  that  put  the  life-boats  on  board 
of  Captain  Glib's  yacht,  namely,  Messrs.  Security, 
Save-all,  and  company.  There  were  runners  going 
up  and  down,  pretending  to  be  the  King's  ministers, 
whose  employment  and  charge  it  was  to  persuade 
men  to  come  and  transact  all  their  business  for  the 
Celestial  Country  at  this  office.  Many  seemed  per- 
fectly satisfied  as  to  the  soundness  of  the  concern, 
and  the  ability  of  the  underwriters  to  pay  ;  but  some 
still  remained  uneasy,  even  after  they  had  received 
their  policies. 

Then  said  the  Guide,  The  underwriters  at  this 
office  are  of  the  kingdom  of  darkness,  though  they 
pretend  to  be  angels  of  light.  Their  signatures  are 
utterly  worthless,  and  he  that  trusts  in  them  will  cer- 
tainly ruin  his  soul.  There  were  just  such  insurance 
offices,  and  keepers  of  them,  and  underwriters,  in  the 
days  of  Noah,  pretending  to  secure  men  against  the 
deluge;  but  the  flood  came,  and  swept  them  all 


FOE   JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  143 

away.19  And  so  shall  it  be  in  the  end  of  the  world.20 
For  when  they  shall  say,  Peace  and  safety,  then  sud- 
den destruction  cometh  upon  them,  for  the  day  of  the 
Lord  shall  so  come  as  a  thief  in  the  night.81  There 
were  such  underwriters  in  the  days  of  the  Prophet 
Jeremiah,  and  also  of  Ezekiel,  crying  Peace,  peace, 
when  there  is  no  peace,22  seducing  the  people  with  a 
lying  divination,  seeing  vanity  and  prophesying  lies, 
and  saying,  the  Lord  saith,  when  the  Lord  had  not 
sent  them.23  They  prophesied  security  out  of  their 
own  hearts,  and  pretended  to  have  made  a  covenant 
with  death  and  an  agreement  with  hell,24  for  man- 
kind, to  strengthen  the  hands  of  the  wicked,  that  he 
should  not  return  from  his  wicked  way,  by  promising 
him  life.25  But  the  King's  wrath  is  against  such 
prophets,  and  against  all  who  put  their  trust  in  such 
delusions,  because  they  are  willingly  deceived,  when 
from  the  Word  of  God  they  know  better. 

Then  said  John,  These  things,  by  the  grace  of  the 
Lord,  shall  help  us,  that  we  be  no  more  children 
tossed  to  and  fro,  and  carried  about  with  every 
wind  of  doctrine,  by  the  sleight  of  men,  and 
cunning  craftiness,  whereby  they  lie  in  wait  to 
deceive.2' 

Then  said  the  Guide,  Our  hope  of  you  is  stead- 

19  Matt.  xxiv.  39.  ^  Matt.  xiii.  40.  ail  Thess.  v.  23.   MEzek.  xiii.  10. 
n  Ezek.  xiii.  6.     **  Isa.  xxviii.  18.     M  Ezek.  xiii.  22.     **  Eph.  iv.  14. 


144  A   REEL   IN   A  BOTTLE, 

fast,"  if  ye  be  unmoveable  in  Christ ;  and  ye  are 
made  partakers  of  him,  if  ye  keep  the  beginning  of 
your  confidence  steadfast  unto  the  end.28  For  ye 
know  well  that  there  is  no  true  insurance  but  what  is 
done  by  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  no  getting  any 
interest  in  that,  but  by  coming  to  him,  and  abiding 
in  him.  If  a  man  abide  not  in  him,  there  is  no  assur- 
ance but  that  of  being  burned.** 

Some  men  think  they  will  be  saved  by  the  Church, 
some  think  they  will  be  saved  by  baptism,  some  by 
partaking  of  the  sacrament ;  and  there  are  various 
loan  and  life  insurance  companies  on  these  different 
principles ;  but  the  management  of  them  is  all  alike 
deceitful.  It  is  a  great  swindle,  and  all  assurances  ot 
salvation  by  any  thing  but  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ, 
and  faith  in  him,  with  repentance  towards  God,  even 
the  renewing  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  are  hypocritical  and 
rotten.  "Wherefore  he  saith,  Enter  ye  in  at  the  strait 
gate ;  for  wide  is  the  gate,  and  broad  is  the  way  that 
leadeth  to  destruction,  and  many  there  be  who  go  in 
thereat.  Because,  strait  is  the  gate,  and  narrow  is 
the  way,  which  leadeth  unto  life,  and  few  there  be 
that  find  it.30 

And  again  he  saith,  I  am  the  Door.  By  me  if  any 
man  enter  in,  he  shall  be  saved,  and  shall  go  in  and 
out,  and  shall  find  pasture.  But  he  that  entereth  not 

v  •«  Cor.  i.  7.     M  Heb.  iii.  14.     "John  xv.  6.     "  Matt.  vii.  13,  14. 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         145 

by  the  door  into  the  sheepfold,  but  climbeth  up  some 
other  way,  the  same  is  a  thief  and  a  robber.31  "Where- 
fore, if  a  man  get  into  the  sheepfold  by  a  profession, 
or  by  the  sacrament,  or  by  what  he  calleth  baptismal 
regeneration,  and  not  by  Christ,  he  is  a  thief  and  a 
robber.  Wherefore,  again,  our  Lord  saith,  Many  will 
say  to  me  in  that  day,  We  have  eaten  and  drunk  in 
thy  presence,  and  thou  hast  taught  in  our  streets,  and 
we  have  prophesied  in  thy  name,  and  cast  out  devils, 
and  done  many  wonderful  works ;  and  then  I  will 
profess  unto  them,  I  never  knew  you,  depart  from  me 
all  ye  workers  of  iniquity.83  So  it  is  that  many  will 
sail  on  proudly  for  a  time,  only  to  be  the  more  utterly 
and  wofully  lost  forever ! 

But  come,  said  the  Guide,  look  into  another  win- 
dow, and  you  shall  see  a  pleasant  sight.  Then  at  his 
bidding  they  looked,  and  behold,  a  wide  and  shining 
sea,  but  broken  into  quick  waves  by  the  breeze,  and 
•  nothing  to  be  seen  in  it  but  a  bird  like  an  albatross, 
struggling  to  rise  from  the  \vater.  At  first  it  seemed 
as  if  the  efforts  of  the  creature  only  plunged  it  deeper, 
and  its  wings  went  under  the  water  instead  of  over 
it ;  but  in  a  few  moments  it  got  the  upper  hand,  and 
began  to  rise,  though  at  first  it  seemed  only  to  skim 
the  waves,  but  at  length  it  rose  higher  and  higher, 
till  it  went  straight  up  towards  heaven,  and  then  it 

11  John  x.  1 .  9.  "  Luke  xiii.  46,  47. 

7 


146  A   KEEL   IN    A   BOTTLE, 

seemed  to  soar  without  labor,  and  almost  without 
motion,  even  like  a  white  fleecy  cloud  in  the 
atmosphere. 

Then  said  the  men,  What  meaneth  this  ? 

And  the  Guide  told  them  they  might  there  see  how 
the  righteous  shall  hold  on  his  way  by  prayer,  and 
wax  stronger  and  stronger.33  At  first  it  would  be 
difficult  to  rise  above  the  world  ;  difficult  it  always  is 
to  begin  to  pray,  and  sometimes  it  seems  as  if  the 
prayers  of  such  a  wo-begone,  sinful  and  burdened 
heart  only  disclosed  sin,  and  carried  the  soul  deeper 
down  in  guilt  and  misery.  But  looking  to  Christ, 
and  coming  to  him,  prayer  shall  be  successful,  and 
though  at  first  it  seems  to  do  nothing  more  than  get 
the  wings  free,  and  though  the  flight  has  to  com- 
mence fluctuating  and  doubting  along  the  very  crest 
of  the  waves,  yet  soon  the  persevering  soul  shall  soar, 
and  then,  the  higher  it  rises,  the  purer  grows  the  air 
and  light,  and  the  easier  it  is  to  keep  flying.  And 
so,  if  a  Christian  will  thus  wait  upon  the  Lord,  he 
shall  mount  rip  on  wings  as  eagles.34  But  if  he  falls 
again  into  the  sea  of  worldliness,  he  is  in  great 
danger  of  sinking  in  it  outright,  and  of  drowning. 

Then  the  Guide  had  them  to  another  window,  and 
he  said,  What  you  see  here  will  depend  upon  your 
faith.  So  they  looked,  and  behold  at  first  they  only 

"Jobxvii.  9.  wlsa.  xl.  31. 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         147 

saw  men  as  trees  walking.86  Then  were  they  greatly 
disappointed,  and  the  tears  fell  from  their  eyes  for 
sorrow  of  heart ;  but  the  Guide  bade  them  look  to 
Him  who  is  the  Author  and  Finisher  of  our  Faith," 
and  gaze  again.  So  they  cried  within  themselves, 
Lord  increase  our  faith.37  A,nd  again  they  looked, 
and  lo,  they  saw  what  seemed  to  be  the  very  utter- 
most end  of  the  Ocean,  and  the  shining  coast  of  the 
Celestial  Country,  and  sweet  green  fields  stretching 
down  to  the  sea,  and  angels  in  companies  walking 
up  and  down,  and  also  the  walls  and  gates  of  the  New 
Jerusalem,  and  happy  beings  in  white  going  in  and 
out  continually.  They  saw  likewise  the  domes  of  the 
City,  which  seemed  to  be  floating  off  into  the  sky 
further  than  the  eye  could  reach,  and  they  thought 
they  heard  a  melodious  sound  of  bells,  exceeding 
sweet  and  musical,  but  they  were  so  ravished  that 
they  knew  not  what  to  say.  They  thought  it  had 
been  night,  and  that  the  morning  had  come,  and  that 
they  had  just  awakened  from  a  long  sleep  ;  and  they 
exclaimed,  both  at  once,  Let  me  go,  for  the  day 
breaketh  !38 

Then  the  Guide  smiled,  and  looked  lovingly  upon 
them,  and  bade  them  God  speed  upon  their  voyage, 
and  gave  each  of  them  a  little  book,  in  which  was 
folded  up  a  parchment,  written  within  and  without, 

*  Mark  viii.  24.     "  Heb.  xii.  ii.     **  Luke  xvii.  5.     M  Gen.  xxxii.  26. 


148  A  KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

that  no  man  could  read  but  they  themselves,  and  it 
was  called  the  Earnest  of  the  Inheritance93  and  they 
were  bidden  to  keep  it  in  their  bosoms,  and  never  let 
it  go,  for  that  it  would  be  a  great  solace  and  joy  to 
them  in  all  the  way  of  their  voyage,  even  to  the  end. 
So  with  hearts  full  of  thankfulness  and  love,  they 
hastened  down  to  the  Harbor,  to  get  all  things  in 
readiness  for  their  departure.  They  found  that  by 
orders  from  the  King  a  great  supply  of  everything 
requisite  for  the  continuation  of  their  voyage  was 
waiting  their  order,  so  that  they  had  only  to  say  the 
word,  and  everything  was  accomplished.  Nothing 
was  wanting. 

They  were  overjoyed  at  all  this,  and  it  seemed  as 
if  now  there  were  no  more  troubles  by  sea  or  by  land, 
between  them  and  glory,  but  a  certain  and  smooth 
passage  thither.  And,  indeed,  that  had  come  about 
spoken  of  by  the  Prophet,  that  before  they  called, 
God  answered  them,  and  even  while  they  were  speak- 
ing, the  blessing  was  with  them.40 

But  the  Master  of  the  Harbor,  who  was  a  very 
sage  and  venerable  person,  and  of  great  experience, 
gave  them  some  grave  warnings  in  the  midst  of  all 
their  joy,  and  bade  them  beware  of  self-exaltation, 
for  that  they  did  not  know  what  enemies  within,  as 
well  as  without,  they  might  yet  have  to  encounter. 

*  Eph.  i.  14.  40  Isa.  Ixv.  24. 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         149 

He  told  them  they  must  call  to  remembrance  what  it 
was  that  happened  to  Peter  and  John  even  after  they 
came  down  from  the  Mount  of  Transfiguration.41  Be 
not  high-minded,  but  fear,"  said  he ;  a  contrite  mind 
is  the  safest,  and  though  present  comforts  and  delights 
are  precious  indeed  when  God  sends  them,  yet  the 
soul  that  can  follow  the  Lord  contentedly  without 
them  is  in  a  sweet  and  humble  frame,  that  is  very 
safe  and  exceedingly  desirable.  Moreover,  the  Lord 
is  very  near  to  such  a  soul,  and  communes  with  it, 
but  the  proud  he  knoweth  afar  off.41 

And  now  were  all  hands  active  for  again  setting 
sail,  and  they  went  to  work  with  great  joyfulness,  for 
the  hope  that  maketh  not  ashamed  animated  them, 
because  the  love  of  God  was  shed  abroad  in  their 
hearts  by  the  Holy  Spirit  that  was  given  them.44 

41  Luke  ix.  46.   «"  Rom.  xi.~20.     4S  Psa.  cxxxviii.  6.     **  Rom.  v.  5. 


CHAPTER 


A  CONFLICT    WITH   THE   GEEAT   PIRATE,    AND    HOW  TO 
KESIST   TEMPTATION. 


it  happened  that  as  they  were  all  busy, 
getting  in  their  water  and  provisions,  there  was  a 
fellow  named  Pride,  who  came  under  the  disguise 
of  one  of  the  King's  Stevedores,  and  took  hold  along 
with  the  crew,  to  help  them  in  their  labors.  He 
seemed  to  be  an  active,  zealous  workman,  ready  for 
anything,  whether  to  carry  coals,  hew  wood,  or  draw 
water.  He  had  tried  before  to  get  in  with  the  crew, 
in  his  own  proper  character,  but  could  not  succeed, 
and  now  resorted  to  this  stratagem,  for  he  was  a 
secret  spy  and  soldier  in  the  service  of  Beelzebub, 
the  Prince  of  the  Devils.  So  he  made  himself  very 
humble  and  very  busy,  and  just  as  the  ship  was  get- 
ting in  her  last  supplies,  and  was  all  ready  for  sail- 
ing, he  came  on  board  with  a  wheelbarrow  of 
packages  for  the  ship's  use,  and  instead  of  returning, 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         151 

slunk  nnperceived  away  to  a  dark  place  in  the 
forecastle,  to  hide  himself  till  the  ship  should  be 
under  weigh,  and  then  stand  his  chance  for  holding 
on  in  the  voyage,  though  there  was  no  name  under 
which  he  was  down  in  the  Ship's  manifest. 

Well,  for  some  time  he  kept  quiet,  but  at  length 
managed  to  get  the  key  of  one  of  their  sea-chests, 
where  he  found  a  whole  suit  of  seamen's  clothes,  even 
to  a  tarpaulin,  and  having  rigged  himself  in  this 
toggery,  he  made  his  appearance  in  the  first  dirty 
weather  they  encountered  after  leaving  the  harbor, 
and  pulled  at  the  ropes,  and  reefed  sails,  with  the 
rest  of  them.  They  were  too  busy  to  take  much 
note  of  the  man,  or  even  to  see  at  first  that  he  was  a 
stranger,  though  Contrition  and  Sincere  looked  hard 
at  him,  and  made  up  their  minds  to  speak  about  him 
to  Peter  and  John.  But  as  the  weather  began  to  be 
rough  and  uncomfortable,  they  had  much  to  occupy 
them  ;  and  what  had  never  been  known  before,  there 
began  to  be  a  spirit  of  discontent  at  the  squalls  and 
wet  weather  they  were  encountering ;  for  the  fellow 
Pride  had  a  way  of  whispering  and  muttering,  so 
peculiar  that  it  was  like  ventriloquism,  and  what  he 
said  seemed  to  come  from  the  heart  and  belly  of  the 
person  to  whom  he  said  it,  so  that  there  began  to  be 
heart-burnings  and  hard  thoughts,  where  before  there 
had  been  nothing  but  sweet  peace,  content  and  patience. 


152  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

Now  all  this  was  not  for  nothing,  as  the  event 
proved.  One  night,  while  all  the  rest  of  the  crew 
were  sleeping,  and  the  watch  were  looking  astern 
across  the  sea,  this  fellow,  Pride,  contrived  to  hoist  a 
lantern  signal  with  a  blue  light,  which  he  had  con- 
veyed on  board  for  that  very  purpose,  and  by  which 
he  was  to  communicate  with  his  Master,  whom  he 
knew  to  be  on  the  watch  in  those  regions.  For  the 
devil  is  a  great  and  cunning  Pirate,  who  watches  for 
ships  richly  laden ;  and  the  seas  about  the  Island  and 
Harbor  of  the  Communion  of  Saints  are  a  favorite 
cruising-ground  for  his  privateers.  So  the  fellow, 
Pride,  who  knew  his  Master  to  be  somewhere  there- 
abouts, kept  up  the  signal  as  long  as  he  dared,  and 
then  managed  to  haul  it  down  again  without  discov- 
ery. The  night  was  very  dark,  but  the  light  could 
be  seen  so  much  the  farther  for  the  darkness. 

The  very  next  day  there  hove  in  sight  a  black, 
doubtful-looking  craft,  bearing  down  upon  them, 
and  as  she  neared,  and  got  close  enough  for 
hailing,  up  went  the  black  flag  of  Beelzebub,  and  the 
Master  stood  upon  the  quarter  deck,  and  in  a  voice 
that  roared  through  his  trumpet  like  thunder,  called 
upon  the  Captain  of  the  King's  ship  in  the  name  of 
his  Infernal  Majesty,  to  surrender  at  discretion,  for 
that  he  was  Master  of  those  seas. 

Then  Peter  stood  forth  and  answered  for  his  King, 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDKUMS.         153 

that  this  was  the  King's  own  ship,  even  .Emmanuel's, 
and  owed  no  allegiance  to  any  but  him,  nor  would 
ever  surrender  to  his  enemies ;  furthermore,  that  this 
was  the  King's  own  highway,  and  the  course  of  the 
ship  just  what  was  laid  down  for  her  in  the  King's 
chart,  and  that  none  had  any  right  or  authority  over 
them,  either  to  stop  the  way,  or  turn  them  out  of  it. 

Then  the  Master  of  Beelzebub's  ship  answered  that 
by  the  King's  own  laws  all  their  pretended  rights 
were  forfeited  to  Beelzebub,  for  they  had  sold  them- 
selves to  him,  and  must  come  to  him  for  wages,  nor 
would  he  relinquish  his  hold  upon  them  for  service, 
but  if  they  fled  away,  would  recapture  them  wherever 
he  could  find  them,  for  that  they  were  his  slaves  and 
his  property,  and  as  such  he  claimed  them,  and  called 
on  all  in  the  ship  to  help  in  the  execution  of  the  laws 
whereby  they  should  be  delivered  up. 

Then  Peter  answered  that  it  was  indeed  true,  and 
with  shame  and  sorrow  of  heart  he  spoke  it,  that 
formerly,  under  great  delusion  and  guilt,  they  had 
been  in  the  service  of  Beelzebub,  serving  divers  lusts 
and  pleasures,  but  that  God,  having  delivered  them 
from  the  power  of  darkness,  and  translated  them  into 
the  Kingdom  of  his  dear  Son,1  had  delivered  them 
wholly  from  the  power  of  Satan,  and  made  them,  by 
adoption,  Sons  of  God,  and  meet  to  be  partakers  of 

'Col.  i.  13. 

T* 


154  A  EEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light  ;9  that  of  their 
own  accord  they  chose  the  service  of  God's  dear 
Son,  and  should  have  done  it  sooner,  had  not  the  god 
of  this  world  blinded  their  minds3  and  made  them 
perverse  and  unbelieving;  but  by  the  Lord's  help  they 
never  more  would  serve  the  devil,  nor  any  of  his  laws 
or  works. 

At  this  Beelzebub  fell  into  great  wrath,  and  raved 
and  swore  with  such  passion,  that  he  could  hardly 
speak  English.  But  at  length  he  roared  out  that  by 
the  King's  own  laws  they  were  under  his  jurisdiction, 
for  that  it  was  one  of  those  laws  that  they  should 
render  unto  Caesar  the  things  that  were  Caesar's,4 
which  they  had  not  done,  for  that  the  god  of  this 
world,  in  alliance  with  Caesar,  had  made  laws  which 
they  had  contemned  and  disobeyed,  and  if  they  con- 
tinued to  do  this,  there  could  be  no  civil  government, 
and  that  the  first  rule  of  all  was  to  obey  the  powers 
that  be,  for  that  they  were  ordained  of  God.* 

Then  Peter  answered  that  as  to  that  matter,  the 
god  of  this  world  had  trampled  on  the  word  and 
authority  of  God,  and  had  made  God's  laws  of  none 
effect  through  his  traditions,6  which  he,  the  devil, 
was  trying  to  enforce  as  law,  and  to  get  men's  con- 
sciences under  his  authority ;  but  that  they  were 

*  Col.  i.  12.        *  2  Cor.  iv.  4.        4  Matt.  xxii.  21.        •  Rom.  xiii.  I. 
Matt.  xv.  6. 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         155 

commanded  at  all  hazards  to  render  unto  God  the 
things  that  were  God's,  and  in  all  those  things  they 
were  the  Lord's  freemen,  and  would  be  bound  by 
none  but  him. 

But  Beelzebub  still  maintained  that  they  were  his 
servants  from  the  outset,  and  had  broken  a\vay  from 
his  allegiance  without  cause,  and  as  miserable  fugi- 
tives from  justice,  ought  to  be  rendered  up  again. 
Besides,  added  he,  you  have  got  on  board  of  your 
ship  one  of  mine  own  subjects,  impressed  unwillingly 
and  detained  violently,  and  if  you  do  not  instantly 
release  him,  I  will  blow  your  ship  into  ten  thousand 
pieces. 

Now  Peter  and  John  trembled  at  this,  for  they  did 
not  fully  understand  the  accusation,  and  as  they  knew 
they  had  never  themselves  been  kidnappers,  and 
were  not  aware  of  any  smuggled  hands  on  board, 
they  began  to  question  about  their  own  identity. 
Likewise  the  whole  crew,  all  but  that  fellow,  Pride, 
began  to  say  within  themselves,  Is  it  I  ?  Is  it  I  ?' 
And  their  sins  rose  up  before  them  in  such  wise,  at 
the  great  roaring  voice  of  Beelzebub,  that  they  were 
ready  to  question,  each  for  himself,  whether  he  was 
not  really  the  man  that  ought  to  be  given  up  to  Satan 
as  his  prey. 

However,  Peter  managed  to  answer  with  apparent 

'Mark  xiv.  19. 


156  A  KEEL   m   A   BOTTLE, 

boldness,  that  the  King's  ship  was  the  King's  ship, 
and  they  would  defend  her  for  him  to  the  last.  And 
whether  it  were  right  to  obey  God  or  man,  or  to 
hearken  to  Beelzebub  more  than  unto  God,  all  on 
board  might  judge.8  Then  Peter  commanded  to  clear 
the  ship  for  action. 

But  even  while  they  were  doing  this,  the  Master 
of  the  Pirate  ship,  having  brought  her  into  a  com- 
manding position,  poured  a  whole  broadside  upon  the 
King's  ship,  intending,  if  possible,  to  sink  her  at 
one  blow ;  and  if  the  shot  had  taken  effect  as  was 
intended,  the  consequences  would  have  been  terrible. 
But  just  as  the  order  to  fire  was  given,  a  wave  provi- 
dentially lifted  the  vessel  up  and  suddenly  keeled 
her  over  down  to  the  sea,  just  so  far,  as  to  send  the 
whole  discharge  into  the. ocean.  Not  a  shot  told. 

By  this,  Peter  and  John  were  greatly  encouraged. 
Now  that  the  conflict  had  really  begun,  they  felt  more 
boldness  by  far  than  while  they  were  parleying. 
But  the  next  broadside  did  more  injury,  for  the  enemy 
tacked  about  with  incredible  swiftness,  and  brought 
his  guns  to  bear  more  truly,  though  even  then  most 
of  them  whistled  across  the  decks,  without  striking 
either  the  men  or  the  ship.  It  was  a  great  relief, 
after  these  repeated  attacks  from  so  terrible  an  adver- 
sary, to  find  themselves  still  alive  and  floating. 

•Acts  iv.  19. 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          157 

And  now  they  brought  the  King's  own  guns  into 
action,  and  every  shot  told.  The  very  first  report  of 
them  was  inspiring,  while  they  struck  terror,  evi- 
dently, into  the  heart  of  the  enemy.  Out  of  the 
great  Mortar,  called  Promise,  they  shot  a  bomb,  that 
fell  upon  the  leeward  side  of  the  Pirate  Ship,  and 
there  exploding,  tore  out  the  bulwarks,  carrying  over- 
board several  of  his  biggest  guns  and  a  number  of 
the  piratical  crew  with  them.  They  also  brought  to 
bear  with  great  power  and  effect  the  larger  gun, 

WHO   SHALL   SEPARATE  TJS   FROM   THE    LOVE  OF    CHRIST  ?9 

And  also  that  other  piece,  which  was  put  on  board, 

IF  GOD  BE  FOR  US   WHO  SHALL  BE  AGAINST  US?"       These 

pieces,  however,  did  as  much,  if  not  more  in  encour- 
aging and  confirming  Peter  and  John  and  all  the 
crew,  than  in  injuring  the  enemy,  though  they  were 
not  without  their  effect  upon  him,  as  was  proved 
afterwards. 

While  all  this  was  going  on,  Contrition  and  Sin- 
cere, who  had  their  eye  upon  that  fellow  Pride, 
observed  him  at  work  upon  the  fire-engine,  and  com- 
ing up  to  see  what  he  was  doing,  found  that  he  had 
cut  the  hose  in  three  several  places,  and  was  trying 
also  to  choke  the  pump  with  grit,  which  he  had  car- 
ried for  that  purpose  in  his  pockets.  Then  they 
seized  him  at  once,  and  in  the  struggle  his  hat  fell 

'  Rom.  viii.  31.  10  Rom.  viii.  35. 


158  A   KEEL   IN    A   BOTTLE, 

off,  which  he  had  always  worn  over  his  eyes,  and 
they  saw  his  true  name  plainly  in  his  forehead,  and 
knew  him  to  be  a  villain  and  a  spy.  But  they  had  a 
hard  struggle  to  master  him,  for  he  was  terribly 
strong,  and  caught  at  everything  to  prevent  being 
thrown  overboard,  which  nevertheless  they  did  succeed 
in  doing,  for  it  was  all  over  with  them,  if  he  stayed 
longer  on  board.  But  as  to  the  fellow  himself,  he  no 

O  * 

sooner  touched  the  water,  than  he  swam  like  a 
fish  to  Beelzebub's  vessel,  and  was  there  taken  in- 
stantly in. 

Meantime,  some  of  the  hands  set  themselves  as 
quick  as  thought  to  repair  as  much  as  possible  the 
mischief  done  to  the  hose,  and  well  was  it  that  they 
had  discovered  it  in  season,  for  no  time  was  to  be 
lost.  Grace  to  help  in  time  of  need11  must  come 
now,  if  it  came  ever. 

For  now  the  conflict  raged  terribly,  because  the 
enemy  let  fly  a  shower  of  darts,  tipped  with  fire  and 
brimstone,  that  came  flaming  and  hissing  through 
the  air,  and  in  spite  of  all  that  they  could  do  to  pre- 
vent it,  would  strike  and  stick,  sometimes  in  the 
masts,  sometimes  in  the  sails,  sometimes  on  the  deck, 
and  several  times  burst  into  a  flame,  so  that  the  fire 
engine  had  to  be  handled  with  great  swiftness  and 
dexterity,  and  some  of  the  crew  had  to  be  stationed 

"Heb.iv.  18. 


A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE,  159 

in  the  shrouds,  with  buckets  of  water  supplied  con- 
tinually. 

"While  they  were  hard  pressed  in  this  manner,  sev- 
eral of  the  fiends,  with  that  fellow,  Pride,  at  their 
head,  having  thrown  themselves  into  the  sea,  swam 
unperceived  under  the  stern,  got  hold  of  some  ropes 
that  had  there  been  left  hanging  by  the  villain  for 
that  very  purpose,  and  by  that  means  hoisted  them- 
selves up  to  an  open  cabin  window,  and  entered. 
Then  with  shouts  of  blasphemy,  and  a  rush,  with 
hellish  darts,  they  broke  forth  suddenly  on  deck, 
supposing  they  should  surprise  the  whole  ship's 
company,  and  get  entire  possession.  They  struck 
John  a  terrible  blow  in  the  back,  before  he  was 
aware,  just  as  he  was  bending  over  in  the  act  of 
aiming  one  of  the  great  guns  for  another  broad- 
side, so  that  he  fell  flat  beneath  the  force  of  the  en- 
counter, and  would  certainly  have  been  murdered, 
had  not  one  of  the  crew,  named  PKAY-wrraouT-CEAS- 
ING,™  who  saw  when  the  attack  was  made,  ran  with 
Peter  to  the  rescue. 

Then  commenced  a  violent  struggle,  hand  to  hand, 
with  the  fiends,  who  raised  their  terrible  flaming 
darts,  and  also  breathed  fire  so  furiously  upon  them, 
that  they  had  hard  work  to  draw  their  very  breath  in 
the  conflict.  Nor  is  there  any  telling  what  would 

Bl  Thess.  v.  17. 


160  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

have  coine  of  it,  had  not  the  clouds,  which  had  been 
rolling  up  very  black  and  heavy,  ever  since  the  fight 
began,  just  then  broke  in  a  shower  of  rain  so  violent, 
that  the  burning  darts  became  almost  useless  in  it, 
and  the  fire  which  had  caught  in  several  places  was 
put  out.  Meantime  they  had  the  Sword  of  the  Spirit, 
which  is  the  "Word  of  God,13  the  same  weapon  with 
which  the  King  himself  once  conquered  Satan  in  the 
temptation^  in  the  wilderness  ;u  and  with  this  they 
parried  the  darts  wonderfully,  and  then  struck  nim- 
bly and  earnestly  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  at  every 
blow  crying  to  God  for  help,  till  at  length  every  one 
of  the  fiends,  being  wounded  almost  unto  the  death, 
threw  themselves  over  the  side  of  the  vessel,  and 
were  seen  no  more. 

Then  they  gave  thanks  to  God  for  this  deliverance, 
and  now  again  amidst  the  confusion  of  the  decks 
looked  towards  the  Pirate  Ship  expecting  a  new  con- 
flict. But  lo,  a  great  black  smoke  was  seen  issuing 
out  of  the  hold,  and  fiery-forked  flames  rose  up  with 
it,  for  their  own  combustibles  had  suddenly  taken 
fire,  and  burned  so  furiously,  that  nothing  could 
quench  them.  And  now  the  night  shut  in  with 
great  rapidity,  and  the  glare  of  the  flames  shone  lurid 
over  the  sea,  and  the  helm  of  the  vessel  being  aban- 
doned, having  been  disabled  by  a  shot  from  the 

w  Eph.  vi.  17.  M  Matt.  iv.  4,  7,  10. 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         161 

King's  ship,  she  drove  on  recklessly  like  a  blinded 
tiger  in  a  burning  menagerie,  and  her  shotted  guns 
went  off  one  after  another,  till  at  length  there  was  a 
most  awful  and  magnificent  explosion,  and  for  a 
moment  the  air  was  filled  with  burning,  falling  frag- 
ments, and  then  all  was  dark  and  still. 

But  oh,  what  thankfulness  and  joy  there  was  on 
board  the  King's  ship  for  this  deliverance,  mingled, 
however,  all  night  long,  with  anxious,  fears  and 
watchings,  lest  the  Enemy  might  re-appear  in  boats, 
or  lest  the  very  explosion  of  his  vessel  might  be  only 
a  trick  to  lull  them,  for  they  well  knew  the  greatness 
of  his  power  and  resources,  as  well  as  the  snares  of 
his  malignity  and  cunning.  But  the  morning  dawned 
without  trouble,  and  the  sun  rose  bright  and  lovely 
over  the  wide  horizon,  and  the  sea  was  smooth,  and 
the  wind  fresh  and  balmy,  and  not  a  sail  or  a  hulk 
appeared  in  sight  to  give  them  the  least  anxiety. 

By  and  by  a  white  flag  like  an  Angel's  wing  came 
into  view  as  they  were  looking  eastward,  just  as  if  a 
fleecy  cloud  had  been  suddenly  created  when  ther£ 
was  nothing  but  blue  firmament,  and  then  there  was 
speedily  a  brave  and  splendid  ship  setting  towards 
them,  having  the  King's  own  colors  flying,  and 
everything  beautiful  and  bright.  Then  Peter  and 
John  stood  still,  and  gazed  with  wonder,  for  the 
vessel  was  coming  right  towards  them,  and  as  soon 


162  A   KEEL   IN    A    BOTTLE, 

as  she  came  near  enough  to  speak,  one  of  those  on 
board  hailed  in  a  friendly  voice,  and  asked  after 
their  welfare.  Then  they  said  that  all  was  well,  through 
God's  great  mercy,  but  began  to  tell  them  some- 
thing of  the  great  peril  they  had  just  escaped ; 
whereupon  the  Commander  ordered  his  boat,  and 
speedily  with  his  principal  officers  came  on  board  the 
King's  ship,  bringing  with  them  sweet  refreshments 
and  delights,  that  had  come  from  the  Celestial 
Country. 

"When  they  had  partaken  of  these,  which  they  did 
with  much  comfort  and  gratitude  of  so  loving  a  com- 
munication, for  they  perceived  and  knew  that  it  was 
from  the  King,  they  gave  some  farther  account  of  the 
Conflict.  Then  the  friendly  visitors  told  them  that 
they  had  been  all  the  while  in  their  neighborhood, 
and  were  not  altogether  ignorant  what  was  going  on, 
for  they  had  even  heard  the  noise  of  the  guns,  and 
had  seen  the  terrible  explosion. 

You  were  not  alone,  said  the  Commander,  for 
ministering  spirits  were  with  you,  and  one  such  it 
was,  who  saved  John  from  his  peril,  when  the  fiends 
attacked  him  from  behind,  and  would  have  killed  him. 
For  God,  said  he,  giveth  his  angels  charge  concern- 
ing those  that  be  his  children,  and  will  not  have  them 
leave  them."  Are  they  not  all  ministering  spirits, 

J5Psa.  xci.  11. 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         163 

sent  forth  to  minister  to  those  who  shall  be  heirs  of 
salvation  ?16 

Then  exclaimed  John,  If  we  had  known  that  you 
were  so  near,  and  that  ?ngels  were  with  us,  we  had 
not  been  so  terrified. 

No,  nor  so  watchful  and  prayerful,  neither  roused 
up  to  such  strong  and  earnest  faith.  But  did  -ye  not 
know,  angels  or  not,  that  God  is  with  you  ?  Ah,  ye 
must  count  it  all  joy  when  ye  fall  into  divers  tempta- 
tions, knowing  that  the  trial  of  your  faith  worketh 
patience.17  But  God  is  always  with  you.  It  is  of 
the  good  pleasure  of  the  King  thus  to  leave  his  dear 
people  sometimes  to  a  seeming  desertion  and  death, 
that  they  may  feel  more  deeply  their  dependence  on 
him,  and  their  need  of  his  grace  to  save  them.  But 
he  is  always  near  them,  and  never  will  desert  them, 
when  they  put  their  trust  in  him. 

But  is  it  often,  asked  Peter,  that  the  Prince  of  the 
Devils  giveth  such  battle  in  these  seas  ? 

Oh,  much  worse,  much  more  deadly  sometimes. 
Paul  himself  once  had  a  conflict  with  him  somewhere 
in  this  region,  and  with  his  companions  was  pressed 
out  of  measure,  above  strength,  insomuch  that  they 
despaired  even  of  life.  But  they  had  the  sentence  of 
death  in  themselves,  in  order  that  they  might  not 
trust  in  themselves,  but  in  God  who  raiseth  up  the 

16  Heb.  i.  14.  "  James  i.  2,  3. 


164  A   KEEL   IN  A  BOTTLE, 

dead  ;  and  who  delivereth  them  from  so  great  a 
death,  and  by  that  very  means  increased  their  confi- 
dence that  he  would  still  deliver  them.18 

But  do  all  escape  out  of  the  hands  of  this  "Wicked 
Adversary,  asked  John,  who  are  thus  attacked  by 
him? 

They  do,  if  they  be  faithful  in  crying  to  God,  and 
trusting  in  him  who  died  for  them.  For  he  hath 
said  I  will  never  leave  thee.19  Blessed,  therefore,  is 
the  man  that  endureth  temptations ;  for  when  he  is 
tried,  he  shall  receive  the  crown  of  life,  which  the 
Lord  hath  promised  to  them  that  love  him.20 

Well,  exclaimed  John,  we  shall  shout  when  we  get 
through  !  Oh,  what  is  all  we  can  suffer  here  in  com- 
parison with  that  glory ! 

Oh,  yes !  but  at  present  you  must  walk  by  faith, 
and  sometimes  you  are  quite  down,  and  seem  dying ; 
for  many  are  the  forms  of  faith's  trials.  In  these 
seas  the  great  Enemy  sometimes  comes  in  one  form, 
and  sometimes  in  another,  and  also  the  effect  of  his 
attacks  is  very  different.  It  is  not  often  that  God 
beats  him  down  under  your  feet  so  signally  as  you 
have  seen  done  in  that  explosion.  Moreover,  we 
must  tell  you  that  such  an  explosion  might  itself 
sometimes  be  the  devil's  own  cunning  artifice,  to 
make  you  think  he  had  abandoned  you  forever,  and 

W2  Cor.  i.  8,  9,  10.        M  Heb.  xiii.  5.          "  James  i.  12  . 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          165 

would  appear  no  more ;  so  you  must  be  watchful 
against  him,  being  not  ignorant  of  his  devices." 

Our  dear  Lord  once  conquered  him,  and  will 
again,  and  it  is  good  to  go  with  him  in  the  wilderness, 
and  to  know  that  because  he  himself  suffered,  being 
tempted,  he  is  able  to  succor  them  that  are  tempted, 
yea,  and  will  do  it,  to  the  end  of  time." 

Remember,  also,  how  the  temptations  of  our  glori- 
ous Lord  in  the  wilderness  began  in  a  time  of  great 
spiritual  enjoyment  and  glory.  Draw  a  lesson  from 
that.  Within  and  without  there  was  the  presence, 
the  delight,  the  approbation  of  God.  This  was  the 
time  the  devil  chose  for  his  assault.  He  is  a  pirate 
that  attacks  the  richly  laden  vessels,  but  lets  the 
empty  and  the  worthless  pass.  Therefore,  never 
think  yourselves  secure  because  of  present  comfort 
and  sweetness  in  walking  with  God.  Be  always  on 
the  watch.  "Watch  and  pray,  lest  ye  enter  into  temp- 
tation." 

Then  answered  Peter,  If  the  Lord's  people  are  to 
count  it  all  joy  when  they  fall  into  divers  tempta- 
tions," how  is  it  that  ho  saith  also,  Pray  that  ye  enter 
not  into  temptation  ?"  Do  they  mean  the  same  thing  ? 

Then  said  the  man,  There  be  two  kinds  of  tempta- 
tion ;  temptations  which  are  trials  from  God,  for  our 

81  2  Cor.  u.  11.        "  Heb.  ii.  18.        M  Mark  xiv.  38.       *4  James  i.  2. 
"Matt.  xxvi.  41. 


166  A  REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

discipline  and  good  behavior  and  growth  in  grace, 
such  as  storms,  hardships,  sicknesses,  poverty,  the 
loss  of  friends,  disappointments  and  afflictions,  of 
many  kinds.  These  are  all  meant  for  our  good,  and 
will  prove  for  our  good,  if  they  answer  God's  loving 
purpose  of  bringing  ns  near  to  him,  and  causing  us 
to  seek  our  all  in  him.  But  there  be  also  temptations 
from  within,  temptations  to  sin,  when  the  evil  affec- 
tions and  desires  of  the  heart  coming  in  with  exter- 
nal allurements,  tempt  the  soul  away  from  God  ;  and 
it  is  against  entering  into  such  temptation  that  our 
Lord  bids  us  to  watch  and  pray.  For  the  Apostle 
saith,  Let  no  man  say  when  he  is  tempted,  I  am 
tempted  of  God ;  for  God  cannot  be  tempted  of  evil, 
neither  tempteth  he  any  man ;  but  every  man  is 
tempted,  when  he  is  drawn  away  of  his  own  lust  and 
enticed." 

Xow  against  such  temptation  every  man  must 
earnestly  watch  and  pray,  and  against  entering  into 
it.  There  may  be  temptations  to  sin,  which  a  man 
does  not  enter  into,  because,  by  the  grace  of  God, 
being  on  his  watch,  he  rejects  them  at  once,  and 
cries  to  God  instantly  for  help  against  them,  and  God 
giveth  him  grace  to  help  in  time  of  need.  But  if  a 
man  plays  with  temptation,  if  he  dallies  with  it,  if 
he  parleys  with  it,  if  he  shakes  hands  with  it,  and 

85  James  i.  13,  14.    - 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          167 

enters  into  pleasant  conversation,  all  the  while  con- 
sidering and  questioning  whether  he  shall  do  it  or 
not,  then  he  is  entering  into  temptation.  Entering 
into  a  thing  is  a  very  different  matter  from  standing 
without  and  watching  against  it.  You  know  that 
entering  into  a  fog  is  a  very  different  thing  from  spy- 
ing a  fog  bank  afar  off,  and  trying  to  keep  clear  of  it. 
As  long  as  you  can  keep  outside  of  it,  and  clear  of  it, 
it  can  do  you  no  harm,  and  you  are  in  no  danger ; 
but  the  moment  you  begin  to  enter  into  it,  then  it 
closes  round  you  on  every  side,  and  you  can  no  more 
see  your  course,  and  sometimes  can  hardly  see  your 
hand  before  your  face,  and  so  may  run  upon  a  reef 
of  rocks,  without  even  knowing  that  you  were  near 
them.  Fogs  are  exceedingly  hazardous,  especially 
if  the  King's  Chart  and  the  reckoning  have  been 
neglected,  and  no  correct  observation  gained. 

Here  Peter  and  John  looked  hard  one  upon 
another,  and  it  was  easy  to  know  by  the  sorrow  and 
solemnity  of  their  countenances  that  they  were  think- 
ing of  past  dangers.  But  oh,  they  thought  within 
themselves,  what  tender  mercy  of  the  Lord  was  it 
that  we  were  not  ourselves  wrecked  for  ever ! 

Then  the  Man  looked  lovingly  upon  them,  and 
went  on.  He  said  that  just  so  a  careless  soul  enters 
into  temptation.  There  be  temptations  sudden,  and 
temptations  gradual,  and  a  careless  soul  may  be 


168  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

overcome  of  either  ;  but  the  gradual  temptations 
begin  by  little  and  little,  and  are  like  a  fog,  which 
the  vessel  enters  into  before  you  are  aware.  A  man 
parleys  with  them,  advances  towards  them,  and  his 
heart  all  the  while  grows  tender  to  them,  and  then  at 
length  the  fog  of  sinful  inclination  is  all  around  him, 
and  everything  grows  dark.  He  no  longer  sees  the 
Word  of  God  clear  shining,  nor  feels  its  power ;  his 
faith  diminishes,  and  the  love  of  God  declines,  and 
the  face  of  the  Lord  is  no  longer  seen  by  him.  And 
when  a  man  thus  enters  into  temptation,  then  tempta- 
tions enter  into  him.  The  fog  not  only  surrounds 
him,  but  gets  within  his  very  soul,  making  everything 
cold,  listless,  and  desolate.  And  if  at  such  a  time 
Satan  come  upon  the  soul,  what  chance  is  there  of 
escape?  Oh  beware,  beware,  lest  you  enter  into 
temptation. 

The  Man  said,  moreover,  that  there  was  once  a 
great  house  committed  by  the  King  to  the  charge  of 
his  servants,  with  instructions  to  the  Porter  to  watch. 
Now  there  was  a  garden  round  about  the  house, 
hedged  round  on  all  sides  with  a  strong,  high,  pro- 
tecting hedge,  which  nobody  could  break  down  from 
the  outside,  nor  get  over.  Beyond  this  hedge  was  a 
waste  howling  wilderness,  and  in  the  thick  of  the 
forest  a  terrible  band  of  robbers,  whose  aim  was,  if 
they  could  by  any  means  do  it,  to  surprise  and  get 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDEUMS.         169 

possession  of  the  King's  garden  and  house.  For 
this  they  watched  their  opportunities  at  the  hedge, 
hoping  they  might  get  into  a  friendly  conversation 
with  some  of  the  servants,  and  so  make  a  beginning. 

Now  the  name  of  the  Porter  was  Parley,  and  he 
was  a  man  given  to  talk,  and  as  he  walked  about  the 
garden,  he  heard  his  own  name  whispered  on  the 
other  side  of  the  hedge,  and  drew  near  to  see  what  it 
was.  Then  the  robber  entered  into  a  conversation 
with  him,  and  this  was  done  several  days,  till  quite  a 
fellow-feeling  was  begotten  between  them,  and  the 
robber  went  so  far  as  to  tell  Parley  the  Porter  that  it 
was  a  shame  to  be  kept  cooped  up  in  that  little  gar- 
den under  such  close  restraints,  and  not  permitted  to 
know  anything  of  the  world,  and  its  pleasant  amuse- 
ments, and  its  grand  old  woods,  and  its  pleasant  men 
and  women.  These  things  made  an  impression,  you 
may  be  sure,  upon  Parley's  mind,  and  he  was  now 
entering  into  temptation,  and  so  the  thing  worked, 
till  Parley  the  Porter  was  taken  with  such  a  desire 
to  see  something  more,  and  also  to  see  the  man  that 
had  been  talking  with  him,  that  one  day  while  they 
were  conversing  he  began  to  pull  away  the  hedge  on 
his  side  the  enclosure,  so  as  to  make  a  little  space  for 
easier  communication. 

As  soon  as  Parley  began  this  work,  then  the  robber 
could  begin  also,  for  the  King  had  made  the  hedge 


170  A   KEEL   IN   A    BOTTLE, 

in  such  a  manner,  that  it  could  be  broken  through 
only  by  beginning  from  within,  but  if  it  were  begun 
there,  then  alas,  it  was  eary  ;  so  they  soon  had  a 
place  broken,  by  little  and  little,  big  enough  for 
a  man  to  crawl  through.  The  robber  entered,  but 
very  carefully  at  first,  and  entirely  alone,  and  in  a 
plain,  simple,  peaceable  garb,  and  without  any  wea- 
pons, so  as  neither  to  disturb  any  one,  nor  terrify  the 
Porter.  And  Parley  for  -his  part  was  astonished  to 
see  such  a  perfect  gentleman,  so  amiable,  so  pleasant, 
so  affable,  so  kind.  He  seemed  to  take  a  great  in- 
terest in  Parley's  affairs,  and  Parley  showed  him  the 
house,  with  its  doors  and  its  fastenings,  though 
he  could  not  let  him  in,  because  of  the  other 
servants. 

But  at  length,  by  little  and  little,  Parley  was  per- 
suaded one  night,  though  he  would  not  himself  open 
the  door  to  him,  to  leave  a  window  unfastened,  so 
that  he  could  open  it  himself  and  get  in.  That  very 
night  the  man  came  in  armor  with  all  his  gang, 
and  they  took  the  house  by  storm,  and  though 
some  of  the  servants  escaped,  yet  Parley  was  the 
first  one  murdered.  Such  is  the  course  of  sin  ; 
therefore  watch  and/  pray,  lest  ye  enter  into  tempta- 
tion." 

Furthermore,  said  he,  never  despair,  but  look  to 

"Markriv.  3& 


FOR   JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS.  171 

Christ  and  trust  him,  in  the  lowest  and  most  hopeless 
state.  And,  remember,  that  he  causes  the  sins  of  his 
people  to  chastise  them,  and  their  very  backslidings 
to  correct  them.  Many  of  the  changes  that  God 
suffers  his  people  to  pass  through  are  directly  for 
their  good ;  so  that,  though  they  may  be  the  result 
of  instability  within,  or  of  carelessness,  or  prayerless- 
ness,  or  running  into  needless  temptations,  yet  God 
makes  them  the  actual  means  of  growth  and  per- 
manence in  grace.  Anything  that  makes  us  feel  our 
own  weakness,  guilt,  and  misery,  and  our  need  of 
Christ,  is  good  for  us,  though  it  may  be  very  painful, 
mortifying,  and  perplexing  for  the  present.  Disci- 
pline and  trial  now,  and  the  discovery  of  our  own 
wretchedness,  are  the  way  to  lasting  peace. 

Though  painful  at  present,  'twill  cease  before  long, 
And  then,  0  how  pleasant  the  Conqueror's  song. 

So  the  man  bade  them  good  by,  and  returned  with 
his  officers  on  board  their  own  ship,  where  Peter  and 
John,  and  all  the  men  followed  them  with  their  eyes, 
and  kept  gazing  at  the  vessel  afar  off,  till  she  went 
out  of  sight,  just  as  they  had  first  caught  the  vision, 
like  an  angel's  wing  or  a  fleecy  cloud  in  the  horizon. 
The  snn  set  that  night  more  soft  and  beautiful  than 
ever,  and  they  saw  no  more  of  the  Pirate,  but  with  a 
fair  breeze  sailed  steadily  away. 
87  Jer.  ii.  19. 


172  A   REEL    IN   A    BOTTLE. 

Then  they  set  up  a  sweet  song,  recounting  their 
dangers,  a  part  of  which  ran  thus  : — 

Believers  now  are  toss'd  about 

On  life's  tempestuous  main ; 
But  grace  assures  beyond  a  doubt, 

They  shall  their  port  attain. 

They  must,  they  shall  appear  one  day, 

Before  their  Saviour's  throne  ; 
The  storms  they  meet  with  by  the  way, 

But  make  his  glory  known. 

Their  passage  lies  across  the  brink 

Of  many  a  threat'ning  wave ; 
The  world  expects  to  see  them  sink, 

But  Jesus  lives  to  save. 

Lord,  though  we  are  but  feeble  worms, 

Yet  since  thy  word  is  past, 
We'll  venture  through  a  thousand  storms, 

To  see  thy  face  at  last 


CHAPTER  IX. 

A   NAVAL   BATTLE   IN    THE   HALF-WAY   HAKBOK   TO   ROME. 

THERE  was  a  place  formerly  laid  down  in  the 
King's  Chart  as  the  Shifting  Sands,  where  of  old 
time  a  beacon  had  been  established  upon  two  great 
reefs,  one  of  them  called  the  Rudiments  of  the 
"World,  and  another  called,  The  Traditions  of  Men.1 
Kow  in  the  course  of  ages,  what  by  shipwrecks,  and 
the  flight  of  birds,  and  the  increasing  of  the  Sands  to 
islands,  these  reefs  were  all  grown  over  with  soil  and 
trees,  and  at  length  the  whole  region  became  covered 
with  vegetation,  grew  into  a  great  commercial  resort, 
and 'at  this  time  had  become  a  famous  country. 
Peter  and  John  knew  by  their  observations  that  they 
were  in  the  region  of  those  Shifting  Sands,  but  they 
did  by  no  means  expect  to  see  a  continent.  It  was, 
therefore,  with  extreme  surprise,  that  they  found 
themselves  one  day  beyond  all  question  nearing  the 

1  Col.  ii.  8. 


174  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE. 

solid  land.  The  man  at  the  mast-head  reported  land 
early  in  the  morning,  but  at  first  they  thouglft  it 
must  be  a  mistake  of  a  low  bank  of  cloud,  or  some 
other  deception,  but  they  soon  found  that  in  very 
truth  it  was  a  country,  though  not  one  of  God's 
original  continents,  but  composed  from  first  to  last 
of  what  is  called  made  land. 

Now  as  they  drew  near  to  this  country,  it  became 
manifest  that  there  was  an  open  Harbor  near  where 
they  were  sailing,  and  beyond  what  seemed  to  be 
the  entrance  they  could  see  a  grand  city  rising,  the 
domes  thereof,  and  many  of  the  buildings,  being 
ornamented  with  crosses.  So  they  determined  to  see 
what  it  was,  but  they  had  no  sooner  entered  the 
Harbor,  than  a  boat  hailed  them  with  an  officer, 
whose  work  it  was  to  collect  port-charges.  This 
convinced  Peter  and  John  that  the  place  was  not 
under  the  King's  laws,  for  every  port  in  the  way  to 
the  Celestial  Country  was  free  to  all  ships  carrying 
the  King's  colors. 

But  before  the  matter  could  be  settled,  a  reve- 
nue cutter  was  had  up  from  the  offing,  and  Peter 
and  John  were  ordered  on  board,  on  the  charge 
of  not  conforming  to  the  laws  of  Church  and 
State.  But  they  refused  to  leave  their  own  ship, 
whereupon  the  officers  of  the  Revenue  Cutter  came 
themselves  on  board  the  King's  ship  in  a  great  rage, 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDKUMS.          175 

which,  however,  was  somewhat  rebuked  and  abashed 
by  the  cool  and  quiet  demeanor  of  Peter  and  John, 
who  received  them  with  great  politeness. 

These  men  proceeded  to  tell  Peter  and  John  that 
they  would  be  held  to  answer,  under  the  laws  of  that 
realm,  for  being  in  those  waters  without  a  license 
from  the  State.  But  to  this  Peter  and  John  made 
answer  that  their  sailing  orders,  and  licenses  also, 
were  received  from  Immanuel  their  King,  and  that 
they  were  free  to  traverse  every  one  of  his  highways 
and  harbors,  without  let  or  hindrance,  neither  could 
any  power  on  earth  or  in  hell  rightfully  stop  them. 

The  enquiry  was  then  made  of  them  as  to  the 
Ecclesiastical  authorities,  by  whom  their  free  papers 
were  signed  and  sealed,  and  they  said  that  there  was 
no  authority  in  the  case,  that  ever  had  had,  or  ever 
would  have,  any  power  over  them,  save  only  that  of 
God's  own  Word,  ministered  unto  them  by  the  Holy 
Spirit,  unto  which  they  were  bound  in  all  cases  what- 
ever to  render  obedience. 

Then  it  was  told  them  that  unless  they  could  show 
a  permit  under  the  hand  of  some  Priest,  who  could 
trace  back  his  own  succession  to  one  of  the  Apostles, 
they  were  uncovenanted  men,  and  their  vessel  an 
outlawed,  uncovenanted  vessel.  A  maxim  of  that 
country  was  had  up  and  asserted  in  their  hearing, 
No  Bishop  no  Church  /  and  it  was  told  them  that 


176  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

unless  they  hoisted  the  Bishop's  Flag,  they  could 
not  be  suffered  to  sail,  for  that  it  was  clean  contrary 
to  the  statutes  of  the  realm,  and  too  disorderly  to  be 
permitted. 

To  this  they  made  answer  that  they  never  would 
accept,  acknowledge,  or  hoist,  any  other  Flag  than 
that  of  their  King ;  that  his  banner  over  them  was 
love  ;s  that  in  Christ  Jesus  neither  circumcision  nor 
uncircmncision  availed  anything,  but  a  new  crea- 
ture.8 They  added  also  this ;  The  Lord  is  our  Judge, 
the  Lord  is  our  Lawgiver,  the  Lord  is  our  King ;  he 
will  save  us.4 

Then  it  was  asked  them  if  they  ate  meat  on 
Fridays  ;  also  whether  they  kept  the  Saints'  festivals ; 
also,  whether  they  shaved  their  heads  in  a  crescent 
or  full  moon. 

To  this  they  answered  that  they  did  not  shave 
their  heads  at  all ;  that  they  ate  whenever  they  were 
hungry,  the  meat  that  God  gave  them,  giving  God 
thanks ;  and  that  they  had  been  commanded  of  the 
Lord  not  to  let  any  man  judge  them  in  respect  to 
meat  or  drink,  or  a  holy  day,  or  the  new  moon,  or 
the  Sabbath  day.* 

"While  this  conversation  was  going  on,  there  was  a 
curious  little  imp  of  a  fellow  to  be  seen  up  and  down 
the  deck,  with  a  strange  robe  on  his  back  like  a  sur- 

"  Cant.  ii.  4.        *  Gal.  vi.  15.        4  Isa.  xxxiii.  22.        *  Col.  ii.  16- 


FOK  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         177 

plice,  having  a  kind  of  swash-bucket  in  one  hand, 
ind  a  sponge  in  the  other  ;  and  this  sponge  he  kept 
ever  and  anon  filling  with  water  from  the  bucket,  and 
sprinkling  it  here  and  there,  especially  whenever  he 
could  get  near  enough  to  any  of  the  crew  to  wet 
them.  This  singular  personage  acted  in  the  capacity 
of  baptismal  regenerator -general  for  the  Harbor,  and 
always  accompanied  the  revenue  and  rudiment  offi- 
cers to  communicate  the  grace  of  baptismal  conver- 
sion to  any  such  subjects  of  uncovenanted  mercy  as 
they  might  possibly  encounter.  It  was  singular  to 
see  the  seriousness  of  his  movements,  which  had  a 
very  ludicrous  effect,  in  contrast  with  the  unrestrained 
wonder  and  contempt,  with  which  the  men  of  the 
ship,  as  well  as  Peter  and  John,  regarded  them. 

~Now  these  revenue  and  rudiment  men  seemed  not 
only  astonished,  but  very  much  enraged,  at  what  they 
called  the  contumacy  and  rebellion  of  Peter  and 
John ;  and  if  they  had  had  sufficient  force  with 
them,  they  would  have  taken  possession  of  the  vessel 
on  the  spot.  But  this  they  dared  not  attempt,  espe- 
cially as  the  sight  of  the  King's  great  guns  some- 
what staggered  them,  and  the  more,  when  they  drew 
near,  and  read  their  shining  inscriptions.  One  of 
the  crew,  named  Watchful,  was  just  then  at  work  bur- 
nishing them,  and  the  letters  shone  like  the  sun, 
especially  the  motto  of  one  of  them,  If  God  be  for 
8* 


178  A    REEL    IN  A  BOTTLE, 

ns,  who  shall  be  against  us  f  So  those  officers,  when 
they  had  looked  round  about  upon  the  armament  and 
appointments  of  the  ship,  departed  with  the  promise 
of  another  visit.  • 

Kow  Peter  and  John,  being  peaceable  men,  and 
seeing  the  train  in  which  things  were  likely  to  go, 
concluded  at  once  to  weigh  anchor  and  pass  quietly 
out  of  the  Harbor,  seeing  it  was  no  place  for  them  ; 
neither  could  they  get  provisions  there,  and  to  be 
detained  there  would  only  delay  and  injure  their 
whole  voyage,  and  perhaps  bring  great  disaster  upon 
them.  Whereupon  they  proceeded  in  open  day  to 
get  all  things  in  readiness  for  sailing. 

But  the  authorities  on  shore  had  resolved  to  main- 
tain their  jurisdiction,  and  to  this  end  had  ordered 
up  from  their  naval  stations  three  of  their  biggest 
gun  ships,  namely,  BAPTISMAL  REGENERATION,  SACRA- 
MENTAL SALVATION,  and  JUSTIFICATION-BY-WORKS.  They 
had  also  a  great  ship  named  Agar,  and  another  which 
was  called  Fair-show-in-the-Flesh,7  and  another 
named  Will-Worship,8  and  another  called  Philosophy- 
and-Yain-Deceit,'  and  another  named  Fables-and-End- 
less-Genealogies.10  All  these  vessels  together  made  a 
squadron,  by  the  vtry  sight  of  which  they  confidently 
believed  they  should  frighten  Peter  and  John  into 

•  Rom.  viii.  31.          '  Gal.  vi.  12.          *  Col.  ii.  23.        *  Col.  ii.  8. 
10 1  Tim.  j  4. 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         179 

surrendering  at  discretion  ;  but  they  had  mistaken 
their  men. 

As  soon  therefore  as  these  ships  came  closing  round 
about  them,  and  the  Great  Admiral,  whose  name  was 
my  Lord  Obedience-to-Tradition,  with  Lord  Ceremony 
standing  behind  him,  had  summoned  them  in  a  loud 
voice  to  haul  down  their  colors,  and  receive  the  King's 
Flag  at  their  hands,  Peter  and  John  commanded  to 
hoist  sail,  and  while  all  hands  were  doing  this,  they 
steered  right  boldly  for  the  open  sea. 

But  in  so  doing,  the  wind  having  suddenly  fresh- 
ened, and  the  ship  under  full  sail  getting  strong 
headway,  she  ran  directly,  with  a  most  thundering 
crash,  into  the  bows  of  Fables-and-Endless-Genealo- 
gies,  just  then  crossing  her  course,  to  take  a  position 
for  raking  her.  The  concussion  was  so  sharp  and 
powerful,  that,  the  King's  ship  being  of  heavy  and 
solid  timber,  very  strongly  put  together,  while  the 
Fables-and-Endless-Genealogies  was  of  slight  mate- 
rials, and  poorly  constructed,  more  for  show  than 
actual  service,  the  bowsprit  and  whole  head-pieces  of 
this  last  ship  were  cut  clean  off,  and  carried  away 
like  basket- \vork,  and  the  water  poured  into  her  hold 
at  such  a  rate,  that  a  heavy  vessel  would  have  sunk 
instantly.  But  the  three  vessels,  Fair-show-in-the- 
Flesh,  Philosophy  and  Vain-Deceit,  and  Will-Worship, 
all  came  to  her  help,  and  had  as  much  as  they  could 


180  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

do  to  keep  her  from  foundering.  They  used  helps, 
undergirding  the  ship,11  and  sent  on  shore  for  carpen- 
ters to  mend  her  as  well  as  they  could,  for  their  whole 
dependence  was  upon  her  preservation,  and  they 
were  about  to  have  her  newly  bottomed  in  the  Dry 
Docks  belonging  to  the  Man  of  Sin  and  Son  of  Per- 
dition. 

Meantime  the  three  leading  ships  in  the  squadron 
commenced  a  heavy  cannonading  in  pursuit  of  Peter 
and  John,  which,  had  the  King's  ship  been  at  anchor 
in  that  Harbor,  might  have  done  mischief,  but  as  she 
was  now  on  her  course,  it  had  no  effect  whatever ; 
all  the  shots  fell  short.  Not  so  with  the  King's  own 
guns,  which'the  men  on  board  the  King's  ship  now 
brought  into  play  with  great  dexterity.  Their  am- 
munition was  from  the  great  store-house  of  God's  own 
"Word,  and  every  shot  told.  They  brought  the  great 
Mortar  into  action,  and  the  first  bomb  they  fired  was 
this,  STAND  FAST  IN  THE  LIBERTY  WHEREWITH  CHRIST 

HATH  MADE  US  FREE,  AND  BE  NOT  ENTANGLED  AGAIN  IN 
THE  YOKE  OF  BONDAGE." 

The  explosion  of  this  bomb  was  heard  far  up  the 
country,  and  it  shook  the  very  houses  in  the  city, 
so  that  the  inhabitants  at  first  thought  there  had 
been  an  earthquake.  They  fired  also  another,  I  can 
do  all  things  through  Christ  which  strengthened  me,1* 

"Acts  xxvii.  17.  KGal.  y.  1.  "Phil.  iv.  13. 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          181 

and  another,  By  grace  are  ye  saved,  through  Faith, 
and  that  not  of  yourselves,  it  is  the  gift  of  God  ;u 
and  another,  By  the  deeds  of  the  Law  shall  no 
flesh  be  justified  ;15  and  another,  In  Christ  Jesus  nei- 
ther circumcision  availeth  anything,  nor  uncircum- 
cision,  but  Faith,  which  worketh  by  Love.18  All 
these  were  directed  with  so  much  precision,  that 
they  fell  right  in  the  centre  of  the  enemy's  gun- 
ships,  and  scattered  everything  before  them.  The 
long  guns  also  did  great  execution. 

But  the  most  wonderful  effect  was  produced  by 
the  last  named  bomb,  together  with  the  following, 
Wherefore,  if  ye  be  dead  with  Christ  from  the  rudi- 
ments of  the  "World,  why,  as  though  living  in  the 
World,  are  ye  subject  to  ordinances  after  the  com- 
mandments and  doctrines  of  men  f  For  these  bombs 
fell,  the  one  upon  the  main  deck  of  the  ship  of  Bap- 
tismal Regeneration,  and  the  other  into  the  hold  of 
Sacramental  Salvation.  They  made  such  havoc,  that 
the  main  mast  in  the  first  ship  went  by  the  board,  and 
the  ship  became  so  entangled  with  her  own  hamper, 
that  she  could  not  again  be  brought  into  action. 

And  inasmuch  as  by  their  naval  etiquette  her  Con- 
sort could  do  nothing  without  her,  besides  being 
nearly  blown  to  pieces  by  the  bomb  in  her  hold,  and 
as  the  ship  JUSTIFICATION-BY-WOKKS  had  no  ammuni- 

14  Eph.  ii.  8.        "  Rom.  iii.  20.        w  Gal.  v.  6.        "  Col.  ii.  20,  22. 


182  A  EEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

tion  of  her  own,  and  must  receive  all  orders  only  as 
countersigned  by  my  Lord  Obedience-to-Tradition, 
they  got  into  a  pretty  muss,  and  in  the  endeavor  to 
help  each  other,  fell  to  quarrelling  among  themselves. 
The  Captain  of  JCSTIFICATION-BY-~WORKS  demanded 
the  authority  to  fight  upon  his  own  hook,  by  a  dis- 
pensation from  one  whom  they  called  the  Pope,  with- 
out having  to  wait  for  BAPTISMAL  REGENERATION  and 
SACRAMENTAL  SALVATION.  He  said,  moreover,  that 
one  kind  of  works  was  as  good  as  another,  and  that 
in  order  to  be  up  to  the  times,  he  must  have  a  Chap- 
lain of  his  own,  and  an  altar  and  candles  to  work  by. 
The  King's  ship  left  them  amidst  those  discomfit- 
ures and  vain  janglings  at  the  mouth  of  their  own 
Harbor,  and  with  a  favorable  wind  pursuing  her 
course  to  the  Celestial  land,  soon  lost  sight  of  that 
strange  country.  Not  a  single  life  was  lost  in  the 
conflict,  which  was  a  thing  -remarkable,  in  contrast 
with  the  former  history  of  those  roadsteads,  and  of 
the  interior  of  that  region,  where  of  old  there  had 
been  great  burnings  alive  and  other  barbarities  exer- 
cised on  all  who  were  so  unfortunate  as  to  fall  into 
the  hands  of  the  natives.  There  were  great  cata- 
combs of  superstition,  and  among  them  a  dark  under- 
ground passage,  which  was  said  to  open  up  into  a 
distant  place  called  the  Yatican,  where  was  the  Pal- 
ace of  that  Man  of  Sin  and  Son  of  Perdition,  who 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         183 

owned  the  Dry  Dock,  in  which  Fables-and-Endless- 
Genealogies  was  going  to  be  newly  bottomed.  There 
were  predictions  that  that  whole  region  was  to  be 
overthrown  by  fire,  and  would  one  day  sink  like  a 
millstone  in  the  ocean,  with  the  great  Establishments 
built  up  there  for  so  many  ages.  But  the  inhabitants 
paid  little  or  no  attention  to  such  things,  considering 
that  their  great  Establishments  were  not  only  an 
honor  to  the  Modern  Age,  but  the  great  support  of 
their  glory  and  gain. 

Now  Peter  and  John  were  right  glad  to  have 
escaped  this  danger,  and  to  find  themselves  once 
more  in  the  King's  open  highway,  with  a  free  and 
fair  breeze.  Thinking  it  all  over,  they  could  hardly 
tell  how  it  happened  that  they  got  into  such  a  con- 
flict, and  they  thought  within  themselves  how  much 
worse  they  must  have  fared,  had  they  left  the  King's 
ship,  and  gone  strolling  up  the  country,  either  out  of 
a  vain  curiosity,  or  agreement  with  the  customs  of 
that  land.  On  studying  the  King's  chart  in  regard 
to  this  region,  they  found  it  written,  Come  out  of  her, 
my  people,  that  ye  be  not  partakers  of  her  sins,  and 
that  ye  receive  not  of  her  plagues.18  Then  said 
Peter,  This  is  verily  either  that  Great  Babylon,  or  a 
city  and  harbor  that  lieth  under  her  jurisdiction,  and 
so  must  be  a  partaker  of  her  destruction. 

18  Rev.  xviii.  4. 


184:  A   KEEL   EN   A   BOTfLE, 

And  the  merchants  of  the  earth  shall  weep  and 
mourn  over  her ;  for  no  man  buyeth  their  merchan- 
dise any  more.  The  merchandise  of  gold  and  silver 
and  precious  stones  and  of  pearls,  and  fine  linen,  and 
purple,  and  silk,  and  scarlet,  and  all  sweet  wood,  and 
all  manner  of  vessels  of  ivory,  and  all  manner  of 
vessels  of  most  precious  wood,  and  of  brass,  and 
iron,  and  marble,  and  cinnamon,  and  odors,  and  oint- 
ments, and  frankincense,  and  wine,  and  oil,  and  fine 
flour,  and  wheat,  and  beasts,  and  sheep,  and  horses, 
and  chariots,  and  slaves,  and  the  souls  of  men.  And 
the  fruits  that  thy  soul  lusted  after  are  departed  from 
thee,  and  all  things  which  were  dainty  and  goodly 
are  departed  from  thee,  and  thou  shalt  find  them  no 
more  at  all." 

Then  said  John,  I  perceive,  brother,  that  the 
City  extendeth  much  more  widely  than  we  thought 
it  could  have  done  ;  and  if  the  kings  and  in- 
habitants of  the  earth  that  have  been  made  drunk 
with  the  wine  of  her  fornication  are  to  partake  of  her 
plagues,  there  is  a  time  of  great  vials  of  wratli 
coming.  For  it  is  written,  Thy  merchants  were  the 
great  men  of  the  earth,  for  by  thy  sorceries  were  all 
nations  deceived.  And  then  it  is  added,  that  In  her 
was  found  the  blood  of  prophets,  and  of  saints,  and 
of  all  that  were  slain  upon  the  earth.70  If  these 

Rev.  xviii.  11-15.  M  Rev.  xviii.  23,  24. 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDKUMS.         185 

plagues  are  yet  to  come,  there  must  be  great  and 
wide  ruin. 

Then  answered  Peter,  How  it  will  be  we  know 
not,  but  we  do  know  that  with  violence  shall  that 
Great  City  Babylon  be  thrown  down,  and  shall  be 
found  no  more  at  all.  Yea,  and  the  merchants  of 
those  things,  which  were  made  rich  by  her,  shall 
stand  afar  off  for  the  fear  of  her  torment,  weeping 
and  wailing,  and  saying,  Alas !  Alas !  that  great  city, 
that  was  clothed  in  fine  linen,  and  purple,  and  scarlet, 
and  decked  with  gold,  and  precious  stones,  and 
pearls  !  For  in  one  hour  so  great  riches  is  come  to 
nought.  And  every  shipmaster,  and  all  the  company 
in  ships,  and  sailors,  and  as  many  as  trade  by  sea, 
stood  afar  off,  and  cried  when  they  saw  the  smoke  of 
her  burning,  saying,  What  city  is  like  unto  this  great 
city  !  And  they  cast  dust  on  their  heads,  and  cried, 
weeping  and  wailing,  and  saying,  Alas !  Alas !  that 
Great  City,  wherein  were  made  rich  all  that  had 
ships  in  the  sea  by  reason  of  her  costliness  !  For  in 
one  hour  is  she  made  desolate !"  Now  when  all  these 
things  are  accomplished,  there  will  be  Halleluias 
from  much  people,  because  of  the  true  and  righteous 
judgments  of  the  Lord  our  God.M 

Rejoice  over  her,  thou  heaven,  and  ye  holy  apos- 
tles and  prophets ;  for  God  hath  avenged  you  on  her !" 

111  Rev.  xviii.  15-19.        "Rev.  xix.  1,  2.        w  Rev.  xviii.  20. 


186  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

Then  said  John,  I  perceive  that  when  all  this  is 
done,  there  shall  be  for  a  time  an  end  put  to  the 
teaching  for  doctrines,  the  commandments  of  men ;" 
and  this  City  and  Harbor  out  of  which  we  have 
escaped  so  happily,  if  it  then  exist,  shall  be  alto- 
gether changed,  and  this  wickedness  clean  consumed 
out  of  it. 

Then  said  Peter,  This  devil  is  not  so  easy  to  be 
turned  out  of  ids  house  and  home  in  human  affairs, 
as  you  think  for.  There  be  those  who  would  impose 
upon  the  conscience  by  human  law  things  as  acts  of 
religion ;  but  this  is  quite  contrary  to  God's  "Word, 
and  is  just  causing  men  to  take  their  religion  from 
men  instead  of  God.  For  that  which  is  enforced  by 
a  human  law,  out  of  the  fear  of  man,  taketh  pway 
from  the  fear  and  love  due  only  unto  God.  Again, 
there  be  those  who  would  bind  the  conscience  by 
human  law  to  do  things  clean  contrary  to  the  Divine 
Law,  saying  that  this  quality  of  contrariness  is  quite 
taken  out  from  any  action,  so  soon  as  human  laws 
have  legalized  it.  But  this  is  a  quirk  of  Satan,  to  get 
men's  consciences  into  his  own  keeping,  and  to  bind 
them  fast  into  his  own  notions  of  morality. 

Well,  returned  John,  these  men,  whether  they  live 
in  one  age  or  another,  are  certainly  of  those  lawyers 
who  have  taken  away  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of 

44  Matt.  xv.  9. 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDBUMS.         187 

heaven,  and  will  neither  go  in  themselves,  nor  suffer 
those  who  are  entering."  The  faithful  disciples  that 
would  enter  only  the  Door,  that  is  by  Christ,  they 
compel  to  climb  up  some  other  way,  else  they  will 
not  receive  them.  Only  to  think  of  their  despotism 
and  pride !  They  would  have  had  us  give  up  the 
King's  flag,  from  the  King's  own  ship  into  their 
hands,  that  we  might  afterwards  receive  it  from  their 
authority,  and  acknowledge  a  subjection  to  them  !  I 
bethink  me  of  Paul,  when  they  made  a  like  onset 
upon  him  and  Barnabas  and  Titus,  and  other  good 
men,  whose  liberty  in  Christ  Jesus  they  hated,  and 
sought  to  bring  them  into  bondage  ;  to  whom  Paul 
said  they  would  not  give  place  by  subjection,  no,  not 
for  an  hour,  that  the  truth  of  the  gospel  might  con- 
tinue,1" which  it  could  not,  if  it  were  put  under  the 
bondage  of  men. 

Then  said  Peter,  These  men  will  have  a  great 
guilt  to  answer  for  in  the  Great  Day.  And  yet  they 
seem  verily  to  think  that  they,  and  they  only,  of  all 
mankind  that  have  heard  the  gospel,  are  in  covenant 
with  God,  and  safe  in  the  way  to  heaven.  But  oh, 
what  a  dreadful,  overwhelming  ruin  awaits  them, 
when  they  come  to  the  judgment,  if  they  have  trusted 
in  anything  else  but  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  and 
the  renewing  of  the  Holy  Spirit  for  their  salvation. 

14  Luke  xi  52.  MGal.  ii.  5. 


188  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

What  shame  and  confusion  will  be  theirs,  when, 
having  trusted  in  their  ceremonies  and  their  works  to 
save  them,  they  come  up  to  the  Celestial  City,  and 
find  it  shut  against  them !  Then  they  will  say, 
Lord,  Lord,  have  we  not  prophesied  in  thy  name, 
and  eaten  and  drunken  in  thy  presence,  and  hast 
thou  not  taught  in  our  streets,"  and  have  we  not 
builded  thy  temples  and  thine  altars  ?  But  he  will 
say,  I  never  knew  you. 

Then  belike  they  will  answer,  again,  But  I  was 
baptized  in  such  or  such  a  city,  in  such  or  such  a 
Cathedral  Church,  by  such  a  priest  of  the  true  suc- 
cession, and  also  I  partook  of  the  sacrament  at  his 
hands,  and  I  was  taught  that  after  that,  the  baptism 
of  the  Spirit  was  sure,  for  that  all  who  were  baptised 
were  regenerated.  Then  might  he  say,  But  ye  had 
my  word,  and  wherefore  did  ye  not  believe  it? 
Wherefore  did  ye  hearken  unto  men  rather  than  unto 
God?  For  ye  were  made  to  know  that  the  word 
which  I  had  given  you,  the  same  should  judge  you  in 
the  Last  Day.48 

Alas !  how  many  in  that  day  will  hear  that  dread- 
ful word,  Depart  from  me,  I  never  knew  you,29 
who  fully  expected  to  hear  that  other  sweet  word, 
Come  ye  Blessed  of  my  Father!30  But  they  who 
choose  to  risk  their  salvation  on  a  lie,  and  take  the 

91  Luke  xiii.  26.     "•John  xii.  48.      w  Matt.  vii.  23.     io  Matt.  xxv.  34. 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDEUMS.         189 

teachings  of  men  before  the  truth  of  God's  Word, 
are  twice  over  determined  to  perish. 

The  King's  ship  did  now,  day  by  day,  make  good 
progress,  and  the  light  came  down  upon  the  sea  in 
such  glory,  and  the  waves  far  off  before  them  shone 
with  such  brilliancy,  where  the  sea  melted  into  the 
heavens,  -that  sometimes^  they  could  not  look  stead- 
fastly towards  that  quarter,  because  the  glory  was  so 
great,  and  the  flood  of  light  so  intense.  And  they 
seemed  to  be  nearing  it  continually,  so  that  sometimes 
they  felt  as  if  they  were  very  near  heaven,  and  as  if 
it  would  be  an  easy  thing,  a  few  leagues  farther  on, 
to  sail  straight  into  it. 

Now  and  then  also  there  were  birds  that  appeared 
flying,  of  a  strange  celestial  beauty,  with  plumage 
such  as  they  had  never  seen  before  ;  and  they  would 
dart  down  from  the  sky,  and  then  shoot  up  again,  till 
the  eye  lost  sight  of  them,  because  it  could  not  follow 
them  so  far.  But  where  these  lovely  creatures  could 
have  their  resting-places,  the  whole  ship's  company 
were  at  a  loss  to  know  ;  but  they  were  very  beautiful, 
and  when  they  fled  away,  took  the  men's  hearts  with 
them. 

While  in  the  midst  of  these  seas,  they  were  exceed- 
ingly surprised  one  day,  by  coming  in  sight  of  an 
open  boat,  with  a  man  in  it,  reclining  in  the  stern, 
and  quietly  reading  a  book,  at  the  same  time  that  he 


190  A    REEL   IN    A    BOTTLE, 

was  steering.  Then  Peter  and  John  hailed  him,  and 
asked  what  he  would  be  at,  out  there  in  mid-ocean,  or 
how  in  the  world  he  got  there,  seeing  that  they  them- 
selves had  encountered  such  storms,  that  it  did  not 
seem  possible  that  under  any  circumstances  an  open 
boat  could  have  lived  through  them.  So  he  told 
them  that  the  country  from  whence  he  came  was  not 
so  far  off  as  they  imagined,  for  that  he  came  from 
the  land  of  FLESHLY  WISDOM,  a  very  wide  land,  and 
was  bound  for  the  Celestial  Country  ;  but  never  hav- 
ing been  satisfied  with  any  proposed  views  of  reli- 
gion, and  being  sure  that  he  had  himself  formed  a 
theory,  which  would  with  all  posterity  take  the  place 
of  all  other  systems,  he  was  resolved  to  set  out  on  his 
own  hook. 

Accordingly,  he  had  laid  in  a  stock  of  the  concen- 
trated essence  of  provisions,  and  with  a  portable 
steam-engine,  which  he  intended  to  use  whenever 
occasion  called  for  it,  he  had  come  thus  far  by  dint  of 
sails  and  rowing,  and  occupied  most  of  his  leisure  time 
in  perusing  and  re-perusing  a  volume  of  his  own 
works. 

But  where,  cried  Peter  and  John,  are  your  chart  and 
compass  ? 

The  man  answered  that  they  were  all  safe  in  a  little 
binnacle,  but  that  in  truth  he  did  not  really  want 
any  ;  the  interior  light  was  so  great,  that  he  went  by 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS          191 

the  Spirit,  not  the  letter,  of  which  indeed  he  was  in 
no  need,  having  himself  risen  to  a  personal  inspira- 
tion. He  said,  moreover,  that  to  make  all  sure,  he 
had  gathered  the  creeds  of  all  nations,  ages,  and 
sects,  and  carried  them  with  him.  He  knew  that 
there  was  truth  in  all,  and  by  accepting  of  them  all, 
he  \vas  perfectly  sure  that  he  had  got  all  the  truth  in 
the  world  at  any  rate.  As  to  any  creed  of  his  own, 
he  held  it  yet  in  reserve,  and  was  ready  for  new 
manifestations  of  light  any  where. 

He  likewise  let  Peter  and  John  know  that  he  was 
now  engaged  in  demonstrating  that  all  forms  of  lan- 
guage were  incapable  of  conveying  any  true  record 
of  the  Spirit,  and  that  consequently  men  must  leave 
off  relying  on  any  written  form  of  inspiration,  and 
throw  themselves  confidently  on  intuition  and  the 
soul.  He  said,  also,  that  his  own  works,  though  so 
extremely  eloquent,  proved  that  language  was  no 
adequate  exponent  of  thought,  for  that  with  all  his 
great  powers  he  had  never  been  able  to  make  half  a 
dozen  persons  understand  either  what  he  believed,  or 
what  he  was  driving  at ;  and  if  this  were  the  case 
with  his  own  writings,  he  argued,  how  much  more 
must  it  be  with  a  volume  like  that  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures. 

Then  Peter  and  John  looked  upon  the  man  with 
mingled  amazement  and  compassion,  for  they  per- 


192  A   REEL   IN    A   BOTTLE. 

ceived  plainly  that  he  was  not  in  his  right  mind,  and 
they  concluded  he  must  have  broken  loose  from  some 
lunatic  asylum,  so  they  invited  him  to  come  on  board 
the  King's  ship,  entreating  him  to  seize  the  opportu- 
nity of  salvation  afforded  him,  for  if  he  went  on  in 
this  way,  he  must  perish.  But  he  answered  with 
much  indignation  and  contempt,  that  they  need  not 
suppose  that  all  the  wisdom  in  the  world  was  on 
board  their  ship,  and  that  he  pitied  their  delusions 
more  than  they  could  his,  and  indeed  if  they  would 
consent  to  follow  him,  he  said  that  he  would  cheer- 
fully take  them  in  to'w,  and  give  them  the  benefit  of 
a  mind  that  otherwise  might  have  to  wait  for  pos- 
terity before  it  could  be  appreciated. 

Then  Peter  and  John  could  not  help  smiling,  much 
as  they  pitied  the  man,  at  such  a  droll  conceit  as  that 
of  seeing  the  King's  ship  moored  to  the  stern  of  a 
sail-boat.  But  while  they  stood  looking  at  him,  he 
shifted  his  sails,  bade  them  good  morning,  and  scud- 
ded off  before  the  wind  on  a  tack  some  five  points 
different  from  the  course  of  the  vessel,  and  they 
soon  lost  sight  of  him. 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE   CAPE   OF   STORMS,    AND   THE   ISLAND   OF   PEACE. 

Now  for  some  days  after  these  encounters,  things 
went  smoothly  enough,  and  they  seemed  to  be  making 
fair  and  rapid  progress  on  their  heavenly  course. 
But  no  good  frame  of  mind  in  this  world  is  perma- 
nent, neither  will  fine  wind  and  weather  last  always, 
nor  can  anything  be  relied  upon  but  God. 

After  those  days  of  bright  and  pleasant  sailing, 
there  began  to  be  an  unexpected  change.  It  seemed 
as  if  there  were  some  mighty  obstacle  before  them, 
they  knew  not  what.  The  air  grew  heavy,  and  at  a 
distance  there  were  heavy,  dark,  threatening  forms 
looming  up  like  great  mountains,  and  a  great  sha- 
dowy ridge  seemed  to  be  resting  on  the  sea,  forbid- 
ding them  to  pass  beyond  it.  Also  there  was  a  great 
gloom  upon  their  own  spirits,  so  that,  though  they 
tried  to  commit  their  way  unto  the  Lord,1  and  to 

1  Psa  xxxvii.  5. 

9 


194  A   KEEL  IN   A   BOTTLE, 

feel  what  they  well  knew,  that  he  would  be  their 
guide,  even  unto  death,*  yet  they  were  anxious  and 
troubled,  and  the  fear  of  death  came  upon  them,  and 
they  trembled  and  were  disquieted. 

"What  added  for  a  little  season  to  their  gloom,  was 
their  meeting  with  a  vessel,  sailing  the  contrary  way 
from  theirs,  as  fast  as  she  could  go,  with  a  breeze 
that  filled  her  sails,  direct  from  the  black  gloomy- 
looking  ridge  before  them ;  and  when  they  hailed 
the  Master  of  that  craft,  and  asked  him  whither  they 
were  bound,  the  man  made  answer,  To  the  Celestial 
Country !  But,  said  he,  we  had  like  to  have  per- 
ished on  the  way,  for  we  ran  into  head  seas  and 
storms,  and  it  was  night  all  around  us,  and  thun- 
derings,  and  hail,  and  lightnings ;  so  that  we  know 
that  we  had  mistaken  our  way,  and  we  do  now 
believe  that  all  this  is  superstition  and  fanaticism, 
for  that  God  cannot  require  his  creatures  to  pass 
through  such  fears  and  distresses.  It  is  the  work  of 
gloomy  thoughts  about  God  and  our  own  sinfulness ; 
and  if  we  had  gone  that  way  much  longer,  we  had 
all  been  crazed.  "We  are  now  determined  to  go 
back,  and  we  have  no  fear  but  that  a  merciful  God 
will  be  merciful  to  his  creatures,  for  we  never  have 
done  anything  so  bad  as  we  seemed  to  have  done, 
when  these  desolations  and  terrors  were  round  about 

11  Psa.  xlviii.  14. 


FOR  JACK"  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         195 

us.  It  is  the  work  of  gloomy,  fanatical  spirits,  to 
prejudice  us  against  God  and  ourselves;  and  we 
advise  you,  if  you  know  what  is  for  your  good,  to 
keep  clear  of  it.  We  are  convinced  that  the  Celes- 
tial Country  cannot  lie  in  that  region. 

To  this  Peter  and  John  made  answer,  that  though 
the  Celestial  Country  might  not,  and  they  were  very 
sure  it  did  not,  lie  in  that  region,  for  it  was  no  where 
to  be  found  on  earth,  yet  all  that  region  might,  for 
aught  they  knew,  lie  in  the  way  to  the  Celestial 
Country,  and  that  whatever  of  evil  there  might  be,  it 
could  not  be  so  great  as  their  sins  had  deserved,  nor 
so  great  as  the  evil  of  keeping  their  sins  in  the 
country  of  sin  and  destruction.  They  said,  more- 
over, that  if  it  was  the  right  way,  they  had  a  right 
to  expect  suffering,  for  that  they  had  been  assured 
that  we  must  through  much  tribulation  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  God.8  So,  said  they,  we  see  not  anything 
in  your  account  to  make  us  think,  as  yet,  that  we 
have  mistaken  the  way ;  but  they  added,  we  are 
very  sure  that  the  way  back  is  not  the  right  way,  but 
the  way  to  perdition.  For  it  is  written  of  God  that 
the  just  shall  live  by  his  faith  ;  but  if  any  man  draw 
back,  my  soul  shall  have  no  pleasure  in  him.4  They 
said,  moreover,  We  will  not  be  of  them  who  draw 

*  Acts.  xiv.  22.  4  Heb.  x.  38. 


196  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

back  unto  perdition,  but  of  them  who  believe  to  the 
saving  of  the  soul.6 

So  saying,  they  kept  on  their  way,  and  though  it 
grew  more  and  more  gloomy,  yet  they  remembered 
for  their  comfort  the  saying  of  Paul,  that  we  are 
saved  by  Hope.  But  hope  that  is  seen  is  not 
hope  ;  for  what  a  man  seeth,  why  doth  he  yet  hope 
for  ?  But  if  we  hope  for  that  we  see  not,  then  do 
we  with  patience  wait  for  it,  and  the  Spirit  helpeth 
our  infirmities.* 

They  also  comforted  themselves  with  the  saying, 
Though  he  slay  me,  yet  will  I  trust  in  him  ;7  and  also 
again  called  to  mind  the  passage,  Who  is  among  you 
that  feareth  the  Lord,  that  obeyeth  the  voice  of  his 
servant,  that  walketh  in  darkness,  and  hath  no  light  ? 
Let  him  trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  stay  upon 
his  God/  Then  they  said  one  to  another,  There  is 
nothing  in  all  these  reported  fears  and  tribulations, 
that  goes  at  all  to  prove  that  we  are  not  in  the  right 
way ;  but  at  any  rate  there  is  no  direction  in  the 
Chart,  hereabouts,  for  us  to  turn  back,  and  onwards 
we  must  go. 

So  they  went  on,  keeping  a  good  look-out,  and  they 
soon  found  that  the  vast  black-looking  ridge  before 
them,  though  it  lost  its  supernatural  dimensions  as 
they  drew  nearer,  yet  prevented  the  possibility  of  a 

•Heb.  x.  39.       "Rom.  viii.  24,  25.       '  Job  xiii.  15.       "  Isa.  1.  10. 


FOB   JACK    IN   THE   DOLDKTTMS.  197 

course  so  direct  and  speedy  as  they  had  of  late  been 
running,  unless  they  could  find  some  strait  or  chan- 
nel opening  through  what  seemed  to  be  the  continent. 
The  coast  trended  south,  and  rose  forbidding  and 
gloomy,  desolate  and  shrouded  with  storms.  There 
was  no  harbor,  neither  any  inlet  or  passage,  and  still 
the  farther  they  went,  the  stormier  grew  the  weather 
and  the  seas,  and  the  less  the  probability  of  shelter. 
At  length  they  came  to  the  conclusion  that  this  must 
be  that  Cape  of  Storms,  rounded  by  David,  Job,  and 
Jeremiah,  where  so  many  navigators  had  encountered 
so  great  perils,  and  so  many  had  given  themselves  up 
for  lost.  But  they  committed  themselves  for  safety 
to  him  who  had  been  with  them  in  six  troubles,  and 
would  save  them  in  seven,9  and  so  they  kept  the 
helm  on  the  course  indicated,  as  closely  as  they  could 
determine. 

But  it  was  a  time  of  fear,  fatigue,  and  great  dan- 
ger. The  cross  seas  seemed  to  drive  direct  upon  them 
from  every  quarter,  angry  and  swift,  as  if  the  fiend 
was  in  each  one  of  them,  making  for  the  vessel,  and 
resolved  to  overwhelm  it.  They  passed  through  a 
hail-storm,  so  cold  and  fierce,  that  the  sharp  icicles 
drove  upon  them  like  grape  shot,  and  the  decks  and 
shrouds  were  covered  with  an  icy  sleet,  which  made 
it  almost  impossible  to  handle  the  sails  and  rigging. 

•Jobv.  19. 


198  A   BEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE. 

They  encountered  also  a  gale  so  severe,  that  all  their 
past  experience,  as  they  then  thought,  furnished  them 
with  no  counterpart  of  its  violence.  Sometimes  it 
seemed  as  though  they  must  go  to  the  bottom.  Some- 
times it  thundered  and  lightened  at  such  a  fearful 
rate,  and  at  the  same  time  the  rain  poured  down  in 
such  torrents,  that  it  seemed  as  if  creation's  doom 
were  approaching,  and  they  could  only  stand  still, 
and  wait  for  God  to  finish  his  judgments.  Thus  for 
many  days  and  nights  they  were  beating  about,  con- 
flicting with  storm,  darkness,  and  uncertainty.  All 
this  time  they  cried  unto  the  Lord,10  and  often  with 
groanings  that  could  not  be  uttered,11  for  a  sense  of 
sin  lay  upon  them,  and  of  terror,  sometimes  inex- 
pressible, so  that  repeatedly  it  seemed  as  if  the  ship 
at  the  next  move  forwards  would  plunge  bodily  under- 
neath the  rising  wave,  instead  of  riding  over  it. 

All  this  while  they  could  scarcely  tell  where  they 
were,  but  at  length  the  sun  came  out  long  enough 
to  give  them  their  true  reckoning  by  observation,  and 
then,  deeming  themselves  past  the  extent  of  that 
stormy  continent,  they  set  the  ship  due  East,  and 
prayed,  if  it  were  God's  will,  that  they  might  have 
clear  weather.  They  had  not  gone  far  when  the 
clouds  lifted  and  broke,  and  though  there  was  nothing, 
either  before  or  around  them,  but  a  waste  of  waters 

10  Psa.  cvii.  «.  "  Rom.  viii.  26. 


FOR  JACK   m   THE  DOLDBUMS.  199 

visible,  and  the  ocean  everywhere  wild  and  gloomy, 
yet  now  it  seemed  as  if  again  they  knew  their  way, 
and  were  under  the  King's  jurisdiction.  Then  they 
called  to  mind  God's  loving  kindness,  and  exclaimed, 
When  my  spirit  was  overwhelmed  within  me,  then 
thou  knewest  my  path  !" 

And  now  they  felt  so  grateful  to  God,  for  causing 
them  to  persevere,  that  no  language  can  tell  the  hap- 
piness of  their  emotions.  They  bethought  themselves 
likewise  with  sorrow  and  pain  of  the  ship  they  had 
met  hurrying  backwards,  for  they  knew,  by  the  Word 
of  God,  that  all  on  board  must  be  ruined  by  that 
course.  Then  said  John,  It  is  very  strange  that  they 
should  have  come  so  far  on  this  voyage,  and  after  all 
turn  back.  But  they  could  not  have  had  the  King's 
commission,  nor  any  true  knowledge  of  his  cross,  his 
laws,  his  love,  or  their  own  hearts. 

Then  answered  Peter,  There  is  a  way  that  seemeth 
right  unto  a  man,  but  the  end  thereof  are  the  ways 
of  death.13  There  be  those  who  set  out  well,  and  as 
long  as  it  is  smooth  weather  and  sunshine  they  may 
keep  sailing,  and  this  may  be  for  a  long  time,  finding 
nothing  to  try  them.  These  be  they,  where  the  seed 
of  the  gospel  is  sown  in  stony  ground,  having  no 
deepness  of  earth,  and  getting  no  root,  yet  springing 
up  rapidly,  but  under  the  heat  of  the  sun  it  wither- 

M  Psa.  cxJii.  3.  "  Prov.  xvi.  25. 


200  A   REEL  IN   A  BOTTLE, 

eth  away.  So  they  made  great  sail  at  first,  but  you 
see  nothing  had  been  done  in  their  hearts,  for  as  soon 
as  their  inward  corruptions  were  stirred  up,  and  the 
terrors  of  hell  began  to  be  presented,  together  with 
some  opposition  from  this  world,  they  took  offence, 
and  went  back,  denying  the  truth  of  the  gospel.  In- 
deed, there  is  no  knowing  how  many  there  may  be 
in  every  age,  who  have  some  experience  of  the  powers 
of  the  world  to  come,  and  also  of  the  Sword  of  the 
Spirit  which  is  God's  "Word,  who  afterwards  fall 
away,  and  are  never  again  renewed  unto  repent- 
ance.16 It  is  not  likely  that  that  vessel  will  ever 
be  seen  again  with  her  head  towards  the  Celestial 
Country. 

Then  said  John,  I  think  we  have  more  reason  to 
be  afraid  of  all  sunshine  than  all  storm.  But  for 
men  to  turn  back  because  of  storms  is  madness  in- 
deed. It  makes  me  think  of  that  night  of  the  disci- 
ples on  the  Lake.18  If  they  had  tried  to  put  back  to 
the. harbor  when  the  storm  came  on,  they  would  not 
have  met  the  Saviour ;  and  just  so,  if  Peter,  when  he 
found  he  was  sinking,  had  tried  to  put  back  to  the 
ship,  he  would  have  been  lost ;  but  he  held  on,  look- 
ing to  Christ,  and  crying,  Lord  save  me,"  and  so  the 
Lord  saved  him.  And  I  am  persuaded  the  Lord  is 
always  near  us  and  with  us,  and  just  as  near  in  the 

14  Matt.  nil.  5.      »  Heb  vi.  5, 6.       I6  Mark  vi.  48.      "  Matt.  xiv.  30. 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          201 

storm  and  darkness  as  in  fair  weather  and  sunshine. 
It  is  no  argument,  because  we  do  not  see  him,  that 
he  does  not  see  us,  and  care  for  us.  But  oh,  when  a 
soul  turns  back,  it  becomes  mad  against  him,  and 
hath  such  venom  against  the  truth,  saying  that  it  has 
had  all  that  experience  that  Christians  pretend  to 
have,  and  found  it  false,  that  with  such  devilish 
lying,  such  a  sinner  and  apostate  may  destroy  much 
good. 

Then  answered  Peter,  It  was  once  said  by  a  great 
navigator,  that  experience,  like  the  stern  lights  of  a 
ship,  only  serves  to  illumine  the  path  that  has  been 
passed  over ;  a  man  learns  but  little  from  it  on  his 
future  way,  except  he  learns  to  be  watchful  unto 
prayer,  throwing  himself  entirely  upon  God.  But  if 
this  be  true  of  the  different  periods  of  individual 
experience  in  this  navigation,  how  much  less  can  the 
experience  of  others  answer  for  our  own.  It  is  like 
the  track  of  a  vessel  on  the  ocean ;  it  may  be  put 
down  on  the  chart,  it  may  be  described  in  the  log- 
book ;  but  you  could  not  possibly  put  another  vessel 
on  the  same  track.  You  too  must  go  by  the  chart 
and  the  compass,  for  there  is  no  line  of  foam  left  in 
the  trackless  sea.  Each  soul  has  to  go  through  the 
same  experience  for  itself,  and  must  be  taught  by  the 
same  Divine  Spirit  all  the  way.  Ah,  let  us  be  look- 
ing always  to  our  great  Captain. 


202  A   KEEL   IN   A    BOTTLE, 

And  now  again  the  weather  began  to  grow  soft 
and  balmy,  and  the  way  seemed  all  bright  and  calm 
before  them.  They  had  now  a  succession  of  such 
pleasant  days  and  nights  of  sailing,  that  after  a  time 
it  seemed  as  if  they  had  got  into  a  new  world,  and 
indeed,  an  unusual  sparkling  light  filled  the  air, 
accompanied  with  such  an  elasticity  of  their  inward 
spirits,  that  they  felt  sometimes  like  flying  from  the 
deck  of  the  vessel.  Here  too  they  came  in  sight  of 
that  group  of  Islands,  called,  The  Peace  of  God  that 
passeth  all  Understanding,"  and  they  might  almost 
have  mistaken  them  for  the  Celestial  Country  itself, 
they  were  so  beautiful.  The  woods  were  always  fresh 
and  green,  and  filled  with  melodious  warbling  birds, 
singing  the  praises  of  their  Creator,  and  the  grass 
was  all  inlaid  with  fragrant  amaranthine  flowers,  so 
beautifully  sprinkled,  and  so  sweet  and  lovely  in 
themselves,  that  it  was  a  delight  only  to  look  at  them. 
At  these  Islands  they  had  more  direct  communica- 
tions with  the  Celestial  Country  than  ever  before,  for 
nere  there  were  to  be  seen,  sometimes,  the  angels  of 
God  ascending  and  descending ;  and  wherever  they 
came  to  anchor,  as  they  were  permitted  to  do  any- 
where, according  to  their  pleasure,  everything  was  so 
calm,  so  pure,  so  peaceful,  that  they  exclaimed,  This 

»PhiUv.7. 


FOE  JACK   m   THE   DOLDEUMS.  203 

is  none  other  than  the  house  of  God,  this  is  the  gate 
to  heaven  !10 

It  seemed  as  if  heaven's  own  Sabbath  had  lighted 
down  upon  those  Islands,  with  all  its  fulness  and 
serenity  of  blessing.  The  people  that  were  there 
brought  down  to  the  pilgrims  very  many  fruits,  and  a 
supply  of  such  sweet,  refreshing  water,  that  never  in 
all  their  lives  had  they  tasted  anything  so  grateful. 
The  people  of  the  Islands  were  all  clothed  in  white, 
and  their  talk  was  of  the  Celestial  Country  and  the 
King,  and  they  never  seemed  so  happy,  as  when  con- 
versing about  his  glory  and  goodness.  They  were 
overjoyed  at  the  arrival  of  Peter  and  John,  and  the 
more  when  they  told  them  what  great  perils  and 
storms  they  had  encountered. 

It  was,  therefore,  many  days  that  Peter  and  John 
remained  coasting  among  these  Islands ;  and  at  the 
last  and  farthest  of  them  they  staid  so  long,  that  there 
began  to  be  a  great  uneasiness  on  the  part  of  some  of 
the  men,  among  wThom  were  Contrition  and  "Watch- 
ful, together  with  one,  whose  name  was,  I-COUNT-NOT- 
MYSELF-TO-HAVE-ATTAINED.  .  These  men  felt  that  things 
were  getting  careless,  with  so  great  a  detention  on 
their  voyage,  and  they  came  to  Peter  and  John,  and 
made  bold  respectfully  to  tell  them  that  they  feared 
the  consequences  if  they  remained  at  those  Islands 

n  Gen.  xxviii.  17. 


204  A   KEEL   IN  A   BOTTLE, 

any  longer,  for  that  some  of  the  men  would  not  be 
willing  to  stir,  and  they  had  already  two  fellows  on 
board  from  the  interior,  one  of  them  named  Spiritual 
Indolence,  and  the  other  Ease-in-Zion,  whose  example 
and  conversation  had  infected  them  all,  or  was  creep- 
ing upon  them  with  a  very  evil  influence. 

They  also  stated  that  that  great  villain,  Pride,  had 
been  seen  again  about  the  vessel,  and  they  suspected 
he  had  lodged  there  more  than  once,  while  the  people 
of  the  ship  had  been  securely  feasting  and  sleeping. 
They  also  stated  that  they  had  been  informed  that  it 
was  a  law  of  the  Islands,  and  of  the  King  for  all 
visitors,  that  here  they  had  no  continuing  city,  but 
must  seek  one  to  come  ;M  and  also  that  forgetting  the 
things  which  were  behind,  they  must  reach  forth  unto 
those  which  were  before,  and  be  pressing  towards  the 
mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of  God  in 
Christ  Jesus.81  When  they  had  humbly  and  respect- 
fully said  this,  then  they  withdrew. 

That  same  night,  while  Peter  and  John  were  sleep- 
ing, a  great  clap  of  thunder  was  heard,  and  a  voice 
which  said,  Arise  ye,  and  depart  hence,  for  this  is 
not  your  rest  !M  By  this  they  were  greatly  aroused 
and  terrified,  and  the  more  because  there  came  a 
messenger  down  from  the  Islands,  saying,  It  is  high 
time  to  awake  out  of  sleep,  for  now  is  your  salvation 

*°Heb.  xiii.  14.  "  Phil.  Hi.  13,  14.  "Mic.  ii.  10. 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          205 

nearer  than  when  ye  believed.  The  night  is  far 
spent,  the  day  is  at  hand."  He  added  to  this  the 
following.  Awake  thou  that  sleepest,  and  arise  from 
the  dead,  and  Christ  shall  give  thee  light.  See  then 
that  ye  walk  circumspectly,  not  as  fools,  but  as  wise ; 
redeeming  the  time,  because  the  days  are  evil. 
Wherefore,  be  ye  not  unwise,  but  understanding 
what  the  will  of  the  Lord  is.24 

Now  were  Peter  and  John  exceeding  sorrowful, 
because  that  they  had  merited  this  rebuke,  and  they 
began  to  feel  that  they  had  been  slothful  in  the  midst 
of  ten  thousand  mercies,  and  they  feared  lest  they 
should  have  been  called  to  account  as  servants  who 
had  wasted  their  master's  goods.  They  at  once  set 
themselves  at  work  to  weigh  anchor  and  set  sail. 
But  what  was  their  amazement  to  find  that  the  best 
chain  cable  on  board,  which  had  stood  all  the  strain 
and  tug  of  so  many  storms,  dangers,  and  anchorages, 
had  been  rusted  almost  entirely  through,  so  that  they 
had  to  procure  the  services  of  the  King's  Smith,  be- 
fore they  could  fit  it  for  service,  or  even  weigh  anchor 
by  means  of  it. 

It  was  also  discovered  that  that  villain,  Pride,  had 
indeed  been  at  work  upon  the  sails  and  shrouds, 
where  he  had  by  some  means  untied  and  rotted  the 
fastenings,  and  yet  left  them  seemingly  whole,  so 

"  Rom.  xiii.  11, 12.  "  Eph.  v.  14-17. 


206  A    KEEL    IN    A    BOTTLE, 

that  the  trick  was  only  discovered  by  a  severe  fall 
of  Peter  himself,  who  set  his  foot  upon  a  rope,  think- 
ing it  was  perfectly  firm,  and  came  down  headlong, 
not  without  much  injury.  They  also  had  but  just  got 
the  mainsail  half  way  up  the  mast,  when  the  rigging 
there  gave  way,  and  the  whole  came  down  by  the 
run,  burying  two  of  the  men,  and  much  bruising 
them.  If  these  things  had  not  been  discovered  before 
they  had  got  out  at  sea,  there  is  no  telling  what  evil 
might  have  happened. 

Peter  and  John  were  now  greatly  distressed  and 
mortified,  as  well  they  might  be,  because  it  was  by 
their  gradual  letting  loose  of  the  watch  and  disci- 
pline on  board  the  vessel  that  these  things  had  taken 
place.  As  it  was  while  men  slept,  that  the  Enemy 
sowed  tares,"  so  now  it  was  very  gradually  and  im- 
perceptibly, while  they  had  been  spiritually  so  full 
of  confidence  and  enjoyment,  that  these  mischiefs 
were  accomplished."  But  the  discovery  of  these 
things  caused  Peter  and  John  to  look  more  narrowly 
about  them,  and  they  found  that  not  only  the  shrouds 
and  sails  had  been  tampered  with,  but  that  that 
master  of  all  villainy,  Pride,  had  secretly  worked  upon 
the  compass,  and  also  had  eaten  at  the  hinges  of  the 
rudder  in  a  very  dangerous  manner. 

These  things  prevented  their  getting  again  at  sea, 

K  Matt.  Jriii.  25. 


FOB  JACK    IN    THE   DOLDKTJM8.  207 

so  soon  as  they  othei  wise  would  have  done,  though 
they  made  all  possible  diligence.  It  was  deeply  im- 
pressed upon  their  hearts  that  they  had  done  great 
wrong,  and  been  very  ungrateful  to  God,  in  remain- 
ing so  long  at  those  Islands,  almost  forgetful  of  the 
great  purposes  of  their  voyage.  They  knew  that 
those  Islands  had  been  placed  there  and  furnished 
by  the  Lord's  great  mercy  for  the  refreshment  of  his 
Pilgrims  on  their  way  to  the  Celestial  Country,  but 
that  he  never  intended  that  what  he  had  given  foi 
their  help  should  be  used  for  their  heaven.  It  was 
never  the  King's  intention  that  they  should  be  willing 
to  linger  on  the  way;  and  they  found  that  even 
spiritual  delights,  if  rested  in,  and  made  the  great 
object  of  the  soul,  instead  of  God's  glory,  and  the 
soul's  advancement  towards  heaven,  might  be  turned 
into  a  kind  of  selfishness,  which  would  really  in  the 
end,  separate  the  heart  from  God.  They  were  ex- 
ceedingly humbled  and  mortified  to  think  of  it,  and 
they  deplored  it  before  God  with  tears,  and  besought 
his  pardon. 

But  indeed  they  had  delayed  so  long,  that  the  best 
season  was  already  somewhat  passed  over  for  the 
most  favorable  navigation  on  that  side  of  the  Islands  ; 
and  a  wet  month  had  set  in,  in  which  sometimes  a 
thick  fog  was  encountered,  produced,  it  was  said,  by 
the  Prince  of  the  Power  of  the  Air,  the  Spirit  that 


208  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

now  ruleth  in  the  children  of  disobedience,20  but  who 
also  did  all  that  the  Sovereign  "Will  of  God  would 
ever  permit  him  to  do,  wherever  he  found  opportu- 
nity to  put  obstacles  in  the  way  of  the  sailing  of  the 
King's  vessels.  This  Wicked  Prince  of  the  Air  was 
almost  continually  in  communication  with  that 
villain  Pride,  and  ever  and  anon  received  notices 
from  him,  as  to  the  occasions  on  which  he  might  pro 
bably  succeed  in  doing  mischief;  and  it  was  partly 
by  that  means,  that  now,  as  soon  as  Peter  and  John 
had  got  upon  their  way  again  with  apparent  pros- 
perity, they  began,  all  unawares,  to  enter  into  that 
fog.  It  was  very  distressing  to  them,  for  it  was 
accompanied  with  a  horror  of  great  darkness,  and  in 
the  midst  of  it  a  storm  arose,  where  such  weather 
had  not  been  at  all  expected. 

Moreover,  there  was  a  great  Reef  of  Rocks  in  that 
neighborhood,  called  Neither-Cold-nor-Hot,87  and  some 
fearful  shipwrecks  had  been  known  there  of  old,  and 
it  was  still  a  place  of  great  danger  in  every  age,  and 
some  thought  more  dangerous  now  than  ever, 
although  there  was  a  Light-House  erected  there  by 
the  King's  orders,  in  charge  of  a  faithful  keeper, 
with  all  means  to  warn  vessels,  and  keep  them  from 
the  danger.  On  the  other  side  of  the  Reef  the  dan- 
ger was  still  greater,  for  there  the  Enemy  of  souls 

M  Eph.  ii.  2.  "  Rev.  iii.  15. 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDBUMS.         209 

had  planted  the  appearance  of  a  Harbor,  and  a  float- 
ing Island  covered  with  an  atmosphere  of  such 
potent  sleepy  efficacy,  that  whatever  Captains  or 
crews  could  be  got  round  on  that  side,  and  persuaded 
to  enter  that  Harbor,  they  were  almost  sure  never  to 
awake  again,  but  they  lay  there,  till  their  vessels 
rotted  and  fell  asunder,  and  they  themselves  per- 
ished. 

Sometimes,  by  reason  of  the  prevailing  fog,  the 
warning  light  was  but  very  dimly  visible,  and  vessels 
passing  the  reef  in  safety,  and  not  knowing  where 
they  were,  were  very  liable  to  be  imposed  upon  by 
appearances  on  the  other  side,  where  in  some  in- 
stances they  were  hauled  round  into  smooth  water, 
and  being  invited  to  enter  the  Harbor,  were  deluded 
to  their  great  injury,  and  made  the  prey  of  pirates. 
It  was  important  here  to  keep  a  very  sharp  look-out, 
and  an  accurate  reckoning,  and  accordingly  neither 
Peter  nor  John  closed  their  eyes  in  slumber,  for  the 
night,  coming  after  the  fog,  terrified  them. 

It  was  a  great  mercy  that  they  had  been  kept 
upon  their  guard ;  for  in  the  middle  of  the  night, 
while  the  waves  were  running  high,  and  the  storm 
unabated,  the  Light,  by  an  extraordinary  lifting  of 
the  cloud,  rose  suddenly  upon  them,  and  they  found, 
by  the  manner  in  which  it  loomed  up  through  the 
fog,  and  seemed  almost  to  hang  over  the  bowsprit, 


210  A  KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE,     . 

that  they  had  come  very  near  running  headlong  upon 
the  ro«ks,  so  that  the  danger  sent  a  thrill  of  horror 
through  their  souls.  And  now  they  cried  out  still 
more  earnestly  to  God,  while  they  used  every  exer- 
tion to  keep  the  ship  off,  and  to  round  the  reef 
without  striking.  And  how  thankful  were  they,  as 
indeed  they  had  reason  to  be,  that  they  had  been 
awakened  from  their  carelessness  and  put  upon  their 
guard  before  they  had  run  into  these  perils ;  for  if 
these  things  had  come  upon  them  unawares,  while 
they  were  dreaming  of  peace  and  safety,  then  they 
would  have  found  sudden  destruction.28  But  God 
had  better  things  in  store  for  them,  and  would  not 
leave  them. 

When  the  morning  broke,  the  fog  had  gone, 
neither  the  reef  nor  the  Islands  could  any  more  be 
seen,  and  the  sun  rose  beautifully  clear  upon  a  sea, 
that  looked  as  if  never  a  storm  could  visit  it,  so 
serene,  so  radiant,  so  lovely.  After  praising  God 
for  his  mercy,  the  men  got  out  their  chart,  and  began 
again  with  great  closeness  to  scrutinize  their  position 
and  prospects.  The  image  of  that  Light,  looming  up 
so  suddenly  at  midnight,  and  as  it  were,  towering 
over  them,  continued  to  make  a  deep  impression.  I 
think,  said  one  to  the  other,  we  little  know  how 
much  we  owe  to  the  faithfulness  of  the  Light-keeper. 

*  1  Thess.  v.  3. 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDEUMS.         211 

What  a  post  of  trial  and  of  danger !  What  if  the 
man  should  fail  ?  It  is  well  enough  in  fine  weather 
when  communication  with  the  shore  is  easy ;  but  in 
storms  it  must  be  terrific. 

It  is  a  post  of  great  honor,  returned  the  other ;  and 
our  Lord  puts  none  but  faithful  and  tried  men  as  the 
keepers ;  indeed,  it  is  only  such  who  know  how  to 
tend  the  lantern,  or  can  be.  got  to  engage  in  such 
service,  though  sometimes  the  Enemy  smuggles  in 
by  stealth  some  of  his  own  creatures  to  play  false 
with  the  lights.  There  are  places,  where,  in  winter 
seasons  especially,  the  work  is  much  more  hazardous 
than  it  ever  is  here.  I  knew  an  old  seaman,  who  held 
a  station  like  this,  in  the  midst  of  a  great  winter's 
storm,  and  he  told  about  its  perils  afterwards,  and 
they  were  enough  to  make  the  soul  tremble.  He 
began  writing  down  his  account  in  the  very  height 
of  the  tempest,  and  put  it  safely  in  a  bottle,  which 
might  get  to  land  in  case  they  perished,  for  the  fury 
of  the  seas  was  so  great,  that  they  did  not  know  but 
each  raging,  devouring  billow  would  carry  away  the 
whole  structure. 

When  I  engaged,  said  he,  to  keep  this  Light- 
House,  little  did  I  think  that  my  heart,  which  had 
never,  for  twenty-five  years,  in  the  most  boisterous 
regions,  failed  me,  would  tremble  at  anything  here. 
"But  there  are  things,  I  perceive,  still  in  the  back- 


212  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

ground,  to  shake  a  stouter  heart  than  mine ;  and  so 
precarious  is  our  present  situation,  that  there  is  a 
prospect  that  this  may  never  reach  you.  The  ice 
around  us  from  the  frozen  spray  is  so  massive,  that 
there  is  no  appearance  of  our  ladder,  the  sea  is  now 
running  at  least  twenty-five  feet  above  the  level,  and 
each  sea  roars  like  a  heavy  peal  of  thunder ;  the 
northern  part  of  the  foundation  is  split,  and  the 
Light-House  shakes  at  least  two  feet  each  way.  I 
feel  as  sea-sick  as  ever  I  did  on  board  a  ship. 

Think  not  that  I  will  ever  flinch  from  my  post, 
though  the  waves  should  gain  the  mastery  for  which 
they  are  so  incessantly  striving.  When  I  accepted 
the  post,  I  closed  mine  ears  against  the  reports  of  the 
former  keeper,  treating  them  as  I  now  find,  too 
lightly  ;  and  here  I  shall  remain,  so  long  as  a  vestige 
of  the  Light-House  remains ;  but  the  truth  must  be 
told.  At  intervals  an  appalling  stillness  prevails, 
creating  an  inconceivable  dread,  each  gazing  with 
breathless  emotion  at  cne  another,  but  the  next 
moment  the  deep  roar  of  another  rolfer  is  heard, 
seeming  as  if  it  would  tear  up  the  very  rocks  beneath, 
and  as  it  bursts  upon  us,  the  Light-House  quivering 
and  trembling  to  its  very  centre,  recovers  itself  just 
in  time  to  breast  the  fury  of  another  and  another,  as 
they  roll  upon  us  with  resistless  force. 

Our  lantern  windows  are  all  iced  up  outside,  an 


FOK  JACK  EN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         213 

inch  thick,  although  we  have  a  fire  continually 
burning ;  and  it  is  not  without  imminent  peril  that 
we  can  climb  up  outside  to  scrape  it  off,  which  I 
have  done  several  times  already.  I  have  a  dread  of 
some  ship  striking  against  us,  although  we  have  kept 
the  bell  constantly  ringing  all  night.  Our  water  is  a 
solid  mass  of  ice  in  the  casks,  which  we  have  been 
obliged  to  cut  in  pieces  with  an  ax  ere  we  could 
obtain  any  to  drink.  Our  situation  is  perilous.  If 
anything  happens  ere  day  dawns  upon  us  again,  we 
have  no  hope  of  escape.  But  I  shall,  if  it  be  God's 
will,  die  in  the  performance  of  my  duty. 

Then  said  John,  This  is  terrible  indeed,  but  duty 
is  always  safe.  Better  so,  than  shrinking  back,  or 
disobeying.  God's  faithful  ones  are  always  prepared 
for  whatever  may  happen,  and  how  great  must  be 
the  reward  of  those  who  have  been  thus  faithful  unto 
death !  The  mouth  of  the  fiery  furnace  looked 
grim  and  terrible  to  the  three  bold  men  as  they 
came  towards  it,  nevertheless,  they  would  rather  go 
into  it,  tharl  disobey  God,  and  meet  the  fire  of  God's 
wrath  for  their  apostacy.  Jonah  found  more  diffi- 
culty and  darkness  in  the  sea  and  in  the  whale's 
belly,4'  than  he  could  ever  have  encountered  in 
going  to  Nineveh.  But  a  man  has  need  of  great 

"  Jon.  ii.  2. 


214  A    KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE. 

faith  for  such  stations.     He  must  take  his  life  m  his 
hand,  for  his  work  may  be  finished  suddenly. 

Blessed  are  those  servants  whom  their  Lord,  when 
he  cometh,  shall  find  watching.30  In  the  Celestial 
Country  there  are  no  Light-Houses  to  be  kept,  nor 
any  need  of  them  ;  no  more  sea,  no  more  dangers,  no 
more  sin. 

20  Luke  xii.  37. 


CHAPTER  XL 

ALMOST   SAVED ALMOST   LOST. 

Now  as  they  were  sailing  swiftly,  the  man  at  the 
mast-head  suddenly  cried  out  that  they  were  in  shoal 
water.  Then,  as  they  ran  to  the  sides  of  the  ship, 
they  found,  to  their  amazement  and  distress,  that  the 
bottom  was  as  clearly  visible  as  the  sea  itself.  They 
got  out  their  sounding  lines,  threw  all  aback,  and  lay 
to,  for  every  instant  they  expected  to  strike,  but  still 
the  ship  did  not  touch,  and  as  it  was  at  least  as  safe 
keeping  her  on  their  course  amidst  this  great  danger, 
as  any  other  way,  for  they  could  not  go  back,  so  they 
proceeded  with  little  sail  and  much  trembling,  throw- 
ing the  lead  every  few  fathoms  of  the  way.  This 
continued  all  night,  and  the  water  was  so  clear,  that 
they  could  distinctly  see  the  bottom,  even  by  the  light 
of  the  moon.  Great  forests  of  sponges  and  marine 
shrubs  were  visible  at  intervals,  and  the  forms  of 
grim  and  glittering  sea-monsters  could  be  seen  trail- 


216  A   HKKI.   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

ing  in  and  out ;  but  the  greater  part  of  the  bottom 
was  white  sand.  All  night  long  the  melancholy  voice 
of  the  leads-man,  By  the  deep  seven  !  now  shoaler, 
now  deeper,  rose  like  the  wail  of  a  prophet  of  evil, 
and  there  was  little  sleep  on  board,  or  closing  of  the 
eyes,  except  in  prayer. 

But  the  day  dawned,  and  the  bright  and  cheerful 
sun  rose  up  in  glory,  and  the  waves  danced  and 
sparkled  in  the  favorable  breeze,  as  if  the  gladness 
of  intelligent  life  were  in  them.  So  the  men  began 
to  take  heart  once  more,  though  they  kept  up  all 
'•heir  watchfulness,  and  glad  and  thankful  they  were, 
when  they  found  themselves  again  passing  into  deep 
water.  There  was  nothing  on  the  surface  of  the  sea 
to  indicate  danger,  not  a  ripple,  nor  a  crested  wave, 
that  showed  signs  of  breakers,  nor  any  point  of  land, 
or  island,  or  rising  reef,  to  intimate  that  they  were 
anywhere  but  secure  in  mid-ocean  ;  and  yet,  as  they 
looked  back,  they  could  not  but  tremble ;  the  more 
so,  as  the  sea  showed  no  sign,  and  yet  they  knew 
what  they  had  passed  over. 

Now  said  Peter,  as  they  were  trying  to  find  some 
intimation  of  these  banks  on  their  course  in  the 
chart,  there  are  times  when  a  man's  hidden  corrup- 
tions and  evil  propensities  seem  to  him  much  more 
clearly  visible  than  at  other  times,  when  it  seems  as 
if  the  ship  must  strike,  as  if  it  were  hazardous  to 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDBUMS.         217 

move,  or  attempt  to  go  forward.  And  yet  the  dan- 
ger may  be  greater,  when  we  seem  to  be  in  deeper 
water.  Unseen  reefs  are  worse  than  visible  sand- 
banks. At  intervals  we  may  have  greater  revelations 
of  what  is  within  us,  and  a  deeper  conviction  of  its 
being  God's  power  and  mercy  only,  that  can  carry  us 
onward  in  safety,  even  when  we  are  drawing  nearer 
to  the  Celestial  Country,  than  we  ever  had  at  first 
setting  out,  or  in  the  earliest  dangers  of  the  way. 

If  the  King's  grace  is  sufficient  for  us,  if  we  only 
have  water  enough  to  float,  the  sight  of  the  bottom 
so  near  is  indeed  terrible,  but-  it  throws  us  upon  God, 
and  teaches  us  how  the  strength  of  the  King  is  made 
perfect  in  our  weakness.  Paul  himself  once  had  to 
pass  over  just  such  shoals  as  these,  and  the  ship's 
keel  even  grated  on  the  bottom,  so  that  he  was  dis- 
tressed and  terrified  ;  but  the  King  brought  him  off 
safe.  And  who  was  it  that  cried  out,  Oh  wretched 
man  that  I  am  !  Who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body 
of  this  death  V  He  was  much  nearer  deliverance, 
much  more  likely  to  be  delivered,  when  he  knew  his 
actual  condition,  and  realized  it,  than  if  he  had  mis- 
taken life  for  death,  and  felt  secure  in  deep  water  and 
fine  weather. 

Then  said  John,  it  is  never  safe  to  be  off  one's 
watch,  for  who  can  tell  what  may  be  before  us  ?  Yet 

1  Rom.  vii.  24. 
10 


218  A   BEEL   IN  A  BOTTLE, 

I  suppose  some  may  have  passed  these  shoals,  and 
known  nothing  about  them,  but  slept  all  the  way. 

Yes,  said  Peter,  some  slumber  through  the  whole 
voyage,  but  where  will  it  end  ?  Let  us  not  sleep  as 
do  others,  but  let  us  watch  and  be  sober.*  Sleepers 
and  breakers  often  come  together.  But  as  to  this 
experience  of  sboals,  I  think  I  said  that  David  also 
was  sometimes  near  the  bottom,  so  that  it  was  quite 
plain  to  him  ;  his  soul  seemed  to  be  cleaving  to  the 
dust,  and  melting  for  heaviness,  but  he  cried  out  for 
God  to  lighten  him  and  quicken  him.*  It  is  only  the 
tide  of  Divine  Mercy  that  ever  bears  us  up,  and  cer- 
tainly it  is  more  apparent  how  it  bears  us  up,  when 
we  seem  to  be  just  grating  the  bottom,  than  where  no 
such  danger  is  perceptible. 

Well,  said  John,  We  know  not  only  where  David 
was  in  shoal  water,  but  just  where  he  struck  ;  and  it 
has  always  seemed  very  strange  to  me,  that  a  man 
who  could  keep  guard  so  diligently,  when  he  could 
scarce  lift  his  eyelids  for  the  weight  that  seemed  to 
be  on  them,  should  have  run  headlong  upon  a  sharp 
rugged  reef,  when  it  was  right  plain  before  him. 

It  was  a  wind  of  nature,  said  Peter,  not  of  grace, 
that  he  was  running  before,  at  that  time,  and  he  had  • 
so  much  headway  that  he  could  not  stop.    Kay,  even 
after  the  crash,  he  was  carried  clean  over  the  reef,  and 

1 1  Thess.  v.  6.  *  Psm.  cxix.  25,  ZB. 


FOR  JACK   m   THE  DOLDRUMS.  219 

it  was  not  till  the  King's  Quarter-Master4  and  Inspec- 
tor came  on  board,  that  he  was  made  to  know  what 
he  had  been  doing,  and  what  mortal  injuries  had  been 
committed.  He  had  to  be.  hauled  into  the  docks  for 
repair,  and  underwent  great  suffering. 

Now  for  some  days  they  ran  on  quietly,  except 
that  the  southerly  breeze  increasing  to  a  gale,  drove 
them  further  northward  than  they  cared  to  have  set 
their  course.  Still  they  were  in  such  warm  latitudes, 
that  the  possibility  of  ice  or  snow  never  occurred 
to  them.  But  one  night  the  air  seemed  suddenly 
cold,  nor  could  they  account  for  it,  till  in  the  morning 
they  caught  sight  of  a  squadron  of  floating  icebergs 
driven  by  wind  and  tide  across  their  way.  It  was 
truly  a  grand  spectacle,  to  behold  such  pyramids  of 
ice  glittering  in  the  clear  sun,  floating  like  a  city  of 
crystal  temples  ;  but  there  was  great  danger  in  it. 
As  they  passed  very  near  one  of  these  splendid 
objects,  or  rather  as  it  neared  them,  for  it  was  with 
great  difficulty  that  they  were  kept  from  contact, 
they  conjectured  that  its  immense  pinnacle  of  solid 
ice  must  have  risen  a  hundred  feet  at  least  from  the 
surface  of  the  water. 

Suddenly  they  perceived  it  move  with  a  drunken 
sidelong  lurch,  as  if  some  inexplicable  power  from 
below  had  worked  at  it,  and  then  with  a  most  stupen- 

42Sam.  xii  7. 


220  A   EEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

dous  crash  it  fell  into  the  sea,  disappearing  entirely 
for  a  moment,  when  it  rose  again  from  the  other  side, 
having  turned  upon  its  own  axis  a  complete  summer- 
set. The  sea  was  raised  into  a  great  commotion,  and 
poured  in  cataracts  down  the  sides  of  the  rising 
mountain  of  ice,  which  was  much  worn  into  caverns 
by  the  action  of  the  water,  and  having  become 
lighter  than  the  half  above  the  surface,  at  length  it 
suddenly  plunged,  and  turned  bottom  upwards.  If 
it  had  struck  the  King's  ship  in  falling,  it  would  most 
likely  have  made  an  end  of  her.  But  she  passed 
onward  in  safety,  the  men  having  witnessed  a  won- 
der of  the  deep,  that  made  their  minds  solemn,  and 
reminded  them,  besides,  of  a  dangerous  passage  in 
their  own  past  experience. 

But  they  were  reminded  of  another  thing  that  had 
been  told  them,  namely,  how  a  man  might  turn,  and 
yet  not  be  changed,  but  remain  the  same  after  his 
turning  as  before.  Men  sometimes,  coming  into 
warm  latitudes,  make  a  great  summerset  in  religion ; 
worn  by  currents,  or  melted  by  the  water  being 
warmer  than  the  air,  they  turn  sheer  over,  but  remain 
with,  the  same  icy  cold  heart  as  before.  Just  such  too 
are  the  changes  that  are  often  made  for  expediency's 
sake,  disregarding  principle.  Sometimes  you  cannot 
see  the  causes  that  operated,  and  the  change  comes 
as  suddenly  as  the  upsetting  of  an  iceberg.  It  is 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         221 

dangerous  to  be  in  the  wake  of  such  persons,  or  to 
place  any  dependence  upon  them ;  for  though  the 
top  may  look  firm  and  grand,  the  bottom  may  be  all 
worn  hollow  ;  and  when  they  are  among  the  Romans 
they  will  do  as  the  Romans  do.  Currents  change 
them,  but  no  inward,  firm,  upright  heart  keeps 
them. 

Then  said  Peter,  It  is  no  doubt  a  great  mercy  that 
we  had  come  so  far  into  the  warm  zone,  before  meet- 
ing these  ice  mountains,  for  otherwise  we  might  have 
been  crushed  in  the  fields  of  ice  that  we  should  have 
found  floating  with  them  for  the  space  of  many 
leagues  in  extent. 

I  have  heard  of  a  ship,  driven  northward  by  a 
gale  from  the  South,  and  then,  though  the  weather 
was  cold,  standing  on  still  further  towards  the  North 
than  the  usual  track,  not  remembering  the  importance 
of  returning  as  near  as  might  be  to  her  right  course, 
when  she  made  the  following  encounter  : — 

It  was  night,  and  blowing  fresh.  The  sky  was 
overcast,  and  there  was  no  moon,  so  that  it  was  quite 
obscure  upon  the  sea,  though  not  without  glimmer- 
ings of  light ;  not  total  darkness,  though  darkness 
was  upon  the  face  of  the  deep.6  The  man  that  told 
me  this,  happened  himself  to  be  in  the  middle  watch 
that  night,  from  midnight  to  four  o'clock  ;  and  he  had 

5  Gen.  i.  2. 


222  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

only  been  on  deck  about  half  an   hour,  when   the 
look-out  forward  sung  out,  Ship  ahead !  Starboard  !  • 
Hard  a  starboard !    These  words  made  the  second 
mate,  who  had  the  watch,  jump  into  the  rigging. 

A  ship  ?  he  exclaimed,  An  iceberg  it  is,  rather ! 
All  hands  wear  ship!  he  shouted  in  a  tone  which 
showed  there  was  not  a  moment  to  lose. 

The  watch  sprang  to  the  braces  and  bowlines, 
while  the  rest  of  the  crew  tumbled  up  from  below, 
and  the  Captain  and  other  officers  rushed  out  of  their 
cabins.  The  helm  was  kept  up,  and  the  yards  swung 
round,  and  the  ship  turned  towards  the  direction  from 
which  they  had  been  sailing.  The  Captain  glanced 
his  eye  round,  and  then  ordered  the  courses  to  be 
brailed  up,  and  the  main  topsail  to  be  backed,  so  as 
to  lay  the  ship  to.  The  men  soon  discovered  the 
cause  of  these  manoeuvres ;  for  before  the  ship  had 
quite  wore  round,  they  perceived,  close  by,  a  tower- 
ing mass  with  a  refulgent  appearance,  which  the  man 
on  the  look-out  ,had  taken  for  the  white  sails  of  a 
ship,  but  which  proved  in  reality  to  be  a  vast  iceberg  ; 
and  attached  to  it,  and  extending  a  considerable  dis- 
tance to  leeward,  was  a  field,  or  very  extensive  floe 
of  ice,  against  which  the  ship  would  have  run,  had  it 
not  been  discovered  in  time,  and  would,  in  all  proba- 
bility, instantly  have  gone  down,  with  every  soul  on 
board. 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          223 

111  consequence  of  the  extreme  darkness,  it  was 
dangerous  to  sail  either  way  ;  for  it  was  impossible 
to  say  what  other  floes,  or  smaller  cakes  of  ice, 
might  be  in  the  neighborhood,  and  the  ship  might 
probably  be  on  them,  before  they  were  seen.  They, 
therefore,  remained  hovo  to.  As  it  was,  a  man  unac- 
customed to  such  things  could  not  see  the  floe,  till  it 
was  pointed  out  by  one  of  the  crew. 

"When  daylight  broke  the  next  morning,  it  was 
easy  to  see  the  dangerous  position  in  which  the  ship 
was  placed.  On  every  side  appeared  large  floes  of 
ice,  with  several  icebergs  floating  like  mountains  on 
a  plain  among  them  ;  while  the  only  opening  through 
which  the  ship  could  escape  was  a  narrow  passage  to 
the  northeast,  through  which  she  must  have  come. 
What  made  their  position  the  more  perilous  was,  that 
the  vast  masses  of  ice  were  approaching  nearer  and 
nearer  to  each  other,  so  that  they  had  not  a  moment 
to  lose,  if  they  would  effect  their  freedom. 

As  the  light  increased,  they  saw  at  the  distance  of 
some  three  miles  to  the  westward,  another  ship  in  a 
far  worse  predicament  than  they  were,  insomuch 
that  she  was  completely  surrounded  by  ice,  though 
she  still  floated  in  a  sort  of  basin.  As  for  themselves, 
the  wind  still  held  to  the  northward,  so  they  could 
stand  clear  out  of  the  passage,  if  it  should  remain 
open  long  enough.  By  this  time  the  distant  ship 


22i  A   REEL   IN    A   BOTTLE. 

had  discovered  her  own  perilous  condition,  as  they 
perceived  that  she  had  hoisted  a  signal  of  distress, 
and  they  heard  the  guns  she  was  firing  to  call  their 
attention  to  her ;  but  alas,  they  could  do  nothing  to 
help  her,  for  all  they  could  do  was  to  attend  to  their 
own  safety,  till  they  had  themselves  got  clear  of  the 
ice.  It  was  truly  a  fearful  situation. 

It  was  very  dreadful  to  watch  the  stranger,  and  to 
feel  that  they  could  render  her  no  assistance.  All 
hands  were  at  the  braces,  ready  to  trim  the  sails 
should  the  wind  head  their  ship ;  for  in  that  case 
they  would  have  to  beat  out  of  the  channel,  which 
was  every  instant  growing  narrower  and  narrower. 
The  Captaiii  stood  at  the  weather  gangway  anxiously 
watching.  When  he  saw  the  ice  closing  in,  he 
ordered  every  stitch  of  canvas  the  ship  would  carry 
to  be  set  on  her,  in  hopes  of  carrying  her  out  into  the 
open  sea  before  such  a  catastrophe.  It  seemed  a 
very  close  chance,  whether  or  not  they  would  be 
hemmed  in.  Still  they  were  not  so  entirely  absorbed 
with  their  own  'danger,  as  not  to  keep  an  eye  on  the 
stranger,  with  a  deep  and  sympathizing  interest  in 
her  fate. 

The  man  that  told  me  this  got  into  the  rnizen  top, 
that  he  might  see  more  clearly,  and  by  the  aid  of  a 
spy-glass  could  watch  everything  that  occurred.  The 
water  on  which  the  stranger  floated  was  nearly 


FOR   JACK    IN    THE   DOLDRUMS. 

smooth,  but  the  space  was-  becoming  smaller  and 
smaller,  and  the  surface  began  to  be  covered  with 
foam,  caused  by  the  whirling  and  tumbling  masses 
of  ice,  as  they  approached  each  other.  There  were 
now  but  few  fathoms  of  water  on  each  side  of  her, 
but  as  yet  she  floated  unharmed.  The  peril  was 
exceeding  great,  but  still  the  direction  of  the  ice 
might  change,  and  she  might  possibly  yet  be  free. 
The  man  watched  narrowly  for  some  hope  ;  but 
onward  came  the  ice  with  terrific  irresistible  force, 
till  he  fancied  that  he  could  hear  the  edges  grinding 
and  crushing  together. 

There  was  no  stop,  nor  any  possibility  of  resist- 
ance ;  for  the  stranger  was  no  better  prepared  against 
the  threatened  crash  and  pressure,  than  the  other 
vessel,  not  being  built  for  polar  regions,  nor  having 
any  instmments  with  which  they  might  ward  off,  or 
cut  away  the  masses.  At  length  the  ice  closed  upon 
the  ill-fated  ship.  At  first  the  man  on  the  watch 
thought  that  it  lifted  her  bodily  up  ;  but  probably  it 
was  not  so  ;  she  was  too  deep  in  the  water  for  that. 
Her  sides  were  crushed  in ;  the  stout  timbers  were 
rent  into  a  thousand  fragments  ;  her  tall  masts 
tottered  and  fell,  though  still  apparently  attached  to 
the  hull.  For  a  moment,  the  men  gazing  concluded 
that  the  ice  must  again  have  partially  separated  by 
the  force  of  the  concussion,  leaving  open  sea-space 
10* 


226  A   KEEL   IN    A    BOTTLE, 

enough  to  sink  in;  for  the  wrecked  mass  of  hull, 
spars,  and  canvas,  seemed  suddenly  drawn  downward 
with  irresistible  force,  and  a  few  fragments,  which 
had  been  hurled  by  the  force  of  the  concussion  to  a 
distance,  were  all  that  remained  of  the  hapless  vessel. 
Not  a  soul  of  the  crew  could  have  had  time  to 
escape  to  the  ice. 

Precisely  such  might  have  been  the  fate  of  the 
remaining  vessel,  with  all  on  board  ;  but  God  merci- 
fully ordered  otherwise.  The  danger  was  imminent. 
The  passage  through  which  alone  they  could  pass 
grew  narrower  and  narrower.  Some  of  the  parts 
they  had  already  passed  through  were  even  now 
closed  up  behind  them.  The  wind  mercifully  held 
fair,  and  although  it  contributed  to  drive  the  ice 
faster  in  upon  them,  still  it  favored  their  escape. 
The  ship  flew  through  the  water  at  a  great  rate, 
.  keeling  over  to  her  ports,  but  though  at  times  it 
seemed  as  if  the  masts  would  go  over  the  sides  of  the 
vessel,  still  the  Captain  held  on.  A  minute's  delay 
might  prove  their  destruction.  Every  person  held 
his  breath,  as  the  width  of  the  passage  decreased, 
though  they  had  but  a  very  little  distance  now  to 
make  good,  before  they  would  be  free.  Fet  their 
failure  by  a  single  ship's  length  might  be  their  ruin. 
It  was  a  moment  of  terrible  suspense  and  anxiety. 

All  this  while  the  man  kept  watching  in  the  mizen 


FOK  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          227 

top,  where  he  could  see  the  whole  danger.  At. length 
a  shout  rose  from  the  deck,  and  looking  round,  he 
saw  clearly  that  they  were  on  the  outside  of  the  floe. 
They  had  shot  through  but  just  in  time,  for  almost 
the  instant  after,  the  ice  met,  and  the  whole,  length 
of  the  passage  through  which  they  had  come  was 
completely  closed  up.  The  order  was  now  given  to 
square  away  the  yards,  and  keep  the  helm  hard  up ; 
and  so  with  a  flowing  sheet  they  ran  down  the  edge 
for  upwards  of  three  miles  before  they  were  clear  of 
it.  So  in  God's  mercy  they  were  saved,  but  nothing 
to  this  day  was  ever  heard  of  the  vessel  there  impri- 
soned, crushed,  and  carried  to  the  bottom. 

The  Lord  save  us,  exclaimed  John,  from  such 
dreadful  hazards  !  Truly,  this  was  being  saved,  yet 
so  as  by  fire.6  Oh  how  wretched  was  the  condition 
of  the  poor  creatures  whom  the  ice  overtook  and 
buried.  And  how  mysterious  are  God's  dealings ! 
One  shall  be  taken,  and  the  other  left.7  No  man  can 
tell  why  that  lost  ship  was  there,  on  what  errand,  or 
how  at  first  she  became  involved  in  such  perils.  But 
oh,  when  God  shutteth  up,  there  can  be  no  opening ; 
when  God  breaketh  down,  it  cannot  be  built  again.8 
When  we  see  such  hazards  in  the  deep,  and  then 
think  how  heedless  most  men  are  upon  the  voyage  of 
life,  it  seems  a  wonder  that  ever  any  get  into  port. 

"  1  Cor  iii.  15-  7Matt.  xxiv.  40.  f  Job  xii.  14. 


228  A  B£EL  IN   A   BOTTLE, 

They  never  do,  said  Peter,  except  by  the  pure, 
unmerited,  sovereign  grace  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus. 
But  it  is  strange  to  see  how  far  some  go  towards  hea- 
ven, and  yet  never  enter,  and  also  how  far  some  go 
towards,  hell  and  yet  are  plucked  back  as  brands  from 
the  burning.  But  God  warneth  us,  as  ofttimes  we  have 
heard,  that  we  are  made  partakers  of  Christ,  if  we 
hold  fast  the  beginning  of  our  confidence  steadfast  unto 
the  end.9  "We  may  go  a  great  way,  and  yet  turn  at 
length  from  the  right  way  for  ever.  There  is  no 
safety  but  in  Christ,  and  none  in  him,  but  by  keeping 
close  to  his  "Word,  for  so  he  saves  us. 

Then  said  John,  there  be  some  who  sin  with  great 
daring,  and  venture  with  headstrong  wilfulness  into 
dangers  of  which  they  have  been  forewarned.  It 
may  be  that  the  lost  ship  had  been  running  on  such 
a  career.  For  if  we  sin  wilfully  after  that  we  have 
received  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  there  remaineth 
no  more  sacrifice  for  sins,  but  a  certain  fearful  look- 
ing for  of  judgment  and  of  fiery  indignation,  which 
shall  devour  the  adversaries.10  But  the  other  ship 
was  saved,  for  that  time,  though  we  know  not  what 
followed.  The  King  saith,  Of  some  have  compas- 
sion, making  a  difference  ;  but  others  save  with 
fear.11 

Then  said  Peter,  To  come  so  near  to  destruction  at 

Heb.  iii.  14.  B  Heb.  x  26,  27.  "  Jude  22. 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         229 

any  time  is  a  fearful  thing.  The  good  navigator 
giveth  all  diligence  to  make  his  calling  and  election 
sure,"  lest  by  any  means  he  be  a  cast-away.13  To 
have  but  a  ship's  length  in  time  and  space,  and  hea- 
ven or  hell  hanging  upon  it !  Who  would  be  willing 
to  be  thrown  into  such  peril  ?  Yet  many  of  their 
own  accord  run  into  it.  But  there  is  a  last  time,  and 
a  limit  beyond  which  they  can  never  go,  and  return. 
There  is  a  last  degree  to  God's  forbearance;  there 
is  a  last  call,  a  last  opportunity,  a  last  hour  of  hope. 
There  is  a  fixed  line  that  marks  the  boundary  of 
mercy,  and  the  confines  of  despair.  When  the  soul 
crosses  that  line,  sometimes  the  ice  closes  on  it  like 
the  jaws  of  Behemoth,  and  the  deep  swallows  it  up. 
But  sometimes  it  may  still  seein  to  be  making  profit- 
able voyages,  and  the  end  is  not  yet.  There  was 
once  found  in  the  log-book  of  an  unknown  mariner 
(I  say  unknown,  for  I  never  yet  heard  of  his  name, 
though  he  must  have  seen  great  dangers,  and  he  had 
a  knowledge  of  some  terrible  truths),  the  following 
lines  concerning  the  unseen  line,  of  which  I  have 
spoken. 

There  is  a  time  we  know  not  when, 

A  point  we  know  not  where, 
That  marks  the  destiny  of  men 

To  glory  or  despair. 

"2  Pet.  i.  10.  1S 1  Cor.  ix.  27. 


230  A  HEEL  IN   A   BOTTL", 

There  is  a  line,  by  us  unseen, 

That  crosses  every  path; 
The  hidden  boundary  between 

God's  patience  and  bis  wrath 

To  pass  that  limit  is  to  die, 

To  die  as  if  by  stealth ; 
It  does  not  quench  the  beaming  eye, 

Nor  pale  the  glow  of  health. 

The  conscience  may  be  still  at  ease, 
The  spirits  light  and  gay, 

That  which  is  pleasing,  still  may  please, 
And  care  be  thrust  away. 

But  on  that  forehead  God  hath  set 

Indelibly  a  mark, 
Unseen  by  man,  for  man  as  yet 

Is  blind,  and  in  the  dark. 

And  yet,  the  doomed  one's  path  below 
Like  Eden  may  have  bloomed  ; 

He  did  not,  does  not,  will  not  know, 
Nor  feel  that  he  is  doomed. 

He  knows,  he  feels,  that  all  is  well, 
And  every  fear  is  calmed ; 

He  lives,  he  dies ;  he  wakes  in  hell, 
Not  only  doomed,  but  damned. 

O,  where  is  that  mysterious  bourne, 
By  which  our  path  is  crossed  ? 

Beyond  which  God  himself  hath  sworn 
That  he  who  goes  is  lost  ? 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         231 

Hew  far  may  we  go  on  in  sin  ? 

How  long  will  God  forbear? 
Where  does  hope  end,  and  where  begin 

The  confines  of  despair  ? 

An  answer  from  the  skies  is  sent ; 

Ye  who  from  God  depart, 
While  it  is  called  to-day  repent, 

And  harden  not  your  heart. 

It  so  happened,  as  if  to  give  demonstration  of 
these  truths,  that  just  at  the  time  when  Peter  was 
repeating  these  lines,  they  passed  a  dangerous  place 
in  the  ocean  called  Dead  Man's  Key,  which  place, 
though  it  lay  so  far  onwards  towards  the  confines  of 
the  Celestial  Country,  was  nevertheless  noted  for 
some  very  terrible  shipwrecks.  It  was  not  far  from  a 
group  of  Islands,  on  one  of  which  a  high  mountain 
lifted  itself  into  the  skies,  where,  at  sunset,  it  shone 
like  a  new  lighted  star,  and  in  the  morning  caught 
the  earliest  rays  of  the  sun,  and  blazed  in  them  like  a 
dome  or  pinnacle  of  the  Celestial  City.  It  was  said 
that  some  Pilgrims  of  old  time  had  climbed  that 
mountain,  and  gained  from  the  top  a  very  clear  view 
into  the  Celestial  Country,  by  means  of  a  telescope 
which  they  took  with  them.  But  of  late,  nothing  of 
this  kind  had  been  accomplished,  and  the  Islands 
themselves  had  very  much  degenerated  from  their 
former  character,  for-  they  were  once  in  much  com- 


232  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

munion  with  the  Celestial  Country,  whereas  at 
present  there  was  little  or  no  traffic  that  way. 

There  was  a  famous  Harbor  there,  formerly  ca^ed 
Humility,  having  a  most  safe  and  delightful  anchor- 
age ;  bnt  the  great  prosperity  of  the  people  in  the 
City  on  its  borders,  vastly  increasing  the  price  of 
land,  they  had  encroached  upon  the  harbor  very  inju- 
riously by  made  land.  A  great  quantity  of  drainage 
from  the  city  had  also  collected  in  it,  together  with 
banks  of  mud  brought  down  into  it  by  a  river  from 
the  interior,  and  neglected  by  the  people  till  great 
shoals  were  formed  ;  so  that  in  truth  the  harbor  was 
nearly  as  much  changed  as  its  name,  which  now  was 
called,  after  the  character  of  the  people,  "Worldly- 
Conformity.  Peter  and^  John,  not  being  aware  of 
this  great  change,  and  marking  their  course  by  the 
King's  Chart,  steered  for  this  harbor  as  a  pleasant 
and  safe  resting  and  watering  place  for  a  season. 

But  they  were  yet  a  good  way  off  from  it,  and  had 
seen  nothing  of  the  Islands  but  the  peak  of  the  moun- 
tain aforesaid.  The  wind  was  somewhat  variable, 
and  the  progress  of  the  ship,  though  pleasant,  was 
not  so  swift  as  it  had  been.  Nevertheless,  the  sailing 
there,  in  such  fine  weather,  was  so  delightful,  that 
one  might  almost  be  tempted  to  wish  it  would  never 
cease.  It  brought  to  mind  the  description  they  had 
somewhere  seen  of  a  young  sailor  passing  that  voyage 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         233 

under  like  circumstances.  The  night,  he  said,  waa 
magnificent,  and  he  remained  on  deck  a  long  time, 
enjoying  its  beauties,  and  gazing  on  the  high  land 
of  the  Island,  which  reared  itself  far  above  the  ocean 
to  the  South.  The  wind  was  very  light,  the  sea 
gently  ruffled,  and  their  good  barque  glided  slowlj 
along  beneath  the  silver  rays  of  a  beautiful  moon, 
illumining  their  path  over  the  mighty  waters,  and 
bringing  out  in  solemn,  majestic  relief,  against  the 
horizon,  the  elevated  Island  they  were  passing. 
There  was  something,  he  said,  in  the  perfect  stillness 
of  the  night,  and  in  the  whole  scene  around  us,  that 
seemed  to  command  our  inmost  souls  to  a  solemn 
holy  silence  before  the  Almighty  Architect  of  the 
Universe  ;  the  Being  whose  works  by  night  so  em- 
phatically declare  his  glory,  who  himself  seemed 
presently  saying,  Be  still,  and  know  that  I  am  God.14 

14Psa.xlvi.  10. 


CHAPTER  XH. 

THE   HAKBOE   OT     WORLDLY    CONFORMITY AND   WHAT 

HAPPENED   THERE. 

WHEN  they  ran  into  the  Harbor  and  dropped 
anchor,  which  they  did  without  any  mishap,  they 
were  surprised  at  the  gay  and  brilliant  look  of  every- 
thing about  them.  The  very  vessels  at  the  docks 
looked  all  as  new  as  if  they  had  been  just  launched, 
and  had  never  seen  the  open  ocean  ;  and  to  say  the 
truth,  of  a  long  time  most  of  them  had  not,  but  had 
remained  idle  till  the  dry  rot  had  got  into  all  their 
timbers.  By  dint  of  a  curious  paint  of  great  strength 
and  color,  all  symptoms  of  rottenness  were  con- 
cealed, and  the  hulks  held  together ;  and  the  in- 
habitants of  the  place  had  an  agreement  among 
themselves  to  sustain  each  other  in  this  cheat,  all 
things  among  them  being  in  like  manner  gilded  and 
superficial. 

As  for  the  King's  own  ship,  it  may  well  be  sup 


A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE.  235 

posed  that  by  this  time  she  looked  black  and  weather- 
beaten.  There,  was,  indeed  a  curious  contrast  be- 
tween her  weary,  way-worn  look,  and  old-fashioned 
rig,  and  the  showy  vessels  in  the  harbor.  The  truth 
was,  there  was  another  extensive  port  on  the  other 
side  of  the  Island,  with  commercial  relations  running 
to  all  parts  of  the  globe,  and  a  double  railroad  direct 
from  that  to  this  city,  so  that  this  harbor,  being  on 
the  side  towards  the  Celestial  Country,  was  of  late 
years  almost  disused,  except  for  State  occasions,  and 
it  was  a  thing  extremely  rare  to  have  an  arrival  in 
that  direction.  The  men  of  the  Harbor  proposed  to 
Peter  and  John  to  have  their  own  ship  newly  cop- 
pered and  painted,  but  they  refused,  saying  that  they 
had  no  time  for  any  changes  which  were  not  needful, 
and  that  they  were  only  anxious  to  be  forwarded  on 
their  voyage. 

When  they  went  on  shore,  they  left  the  Ship  in 
charge  of  Contrition  and  Sincere,  with  orders  to  be 
employed  as  speedily  as  possible  in  laying  in  what 
supplies  were  necessary.  When  their  gig  touched 
the  landing,  it  was  proposed  to  them  at  once  that 
they  should  be  rigged  out  in  a  new  dress,  and  meet 
the  Mayor  of  the  City,  who  would  be  glad  to  do 
honor  to  the  King's  Flag ;  but  they  felt  bewildered 
by  the  strange,  suspicious  appearance  of  things  around 
them,  and  were  not  willing  to  spend  the  time  requi- 


236  A.   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

site  for  this  ceremony,  besides  that  they  found  it  was 
to  be  attended  with  a  feast,  involving  an  expense  of 
money  as  well  as  time,  in  which  they  would  not  feel 
justified. 

They  determined  to  remain  no  longer  than  they 
could  help,  for  the  place  seemed  not  at  all  like  the 
last  Harbor  belonging  to  the  King,  in  which  they 
had  rested.  But  it  came  to  pass,  as  they  went  up 
and  down  the  streets,  that  their  spirit  was  stirred 
within  them  as  they  beheld  the  manners  of  the  people, 
and  especially  some  great  enormities  in  the  sale  of 
two  notable  articles  in  the  commerce  of  the  place, 
Rum  and  Opium.  They  were  so  roused,  that  they 
could  not  help  speaking  boldly  against  these  things, 
and  in  a  short  time  they  had  a  great  crowd  collected 
together  to  hear  them.  They  said  they  were  aston- 
ished at  the  sale  of  these  things  in  any  place  that 
had  been  under  the  King's  dominion.  They  affirmed 
that  the  traffic  would  bring  upon  them  utter  misery  ; 
that  though  it  might  seem  profitable  for  a  time,  yet  it 
was  really  neither  more  nor  less  than  the  slow  murder 
of  men's  souls  and  bodies.  They  said  it  was  clean 
contrary  to  the  laws  of  the  King,  and  that  the  people 
might  almost  as  well  set  up  for  a  liberty  to  deal  in 
hell-fire,  as  a  freedom  to  pursue  such  sinful  and 
ruinous  practices. 

There  was   evidently   a  great  awakening  of  con- 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDKUMS.         237 

science  under  these  speeches,  for  their  hearts  were 
full  and  earnest,  and  the  multitude  could  not  resist 
the  wisdom  and  spirit  with  which  they  spake.1 
Nevertheless,  some  of  the  principal  dealers,  being 
exceedingly  enraged  at  having  their  profitable  busi- 
ness interfered  with,  took  unto  themselves  certain 
lewd  fellows  of  the  baser  sort,8  and  having  got  a 
marshal  with  them  (for  the  law  of  the  place  favored 
them),  they  made  an  address  to  the  people,  among 
whom  were  many  workmen  of  like  occupation  with 
themselves,  to  whom  they  said,  Sirs,  ye  know  that  by 
this  craft  we  have  our  wealth,3  and  furthermore  the 
whole  riches  of  our  Island  are  greatly  increased  by  it 
and  dependent  upon  it,  so  that  the  words  of  these 
new-coniers  are  not  only  seditious  and  treasonable,  as 
being  to  the  reproach  of  the  law  of  the  land,  which  is 
supreme,  but  also  greatly  to  our  detriment,  and  con- 
trary to  every  man's  own  personal  interests. 

Thus  they  worked  upon  the  passions  of  the  people, 
till  the  whole  town  was  filled  with  confusion  ;  and 
while  the  baser  fellows  thre~w  dirt  into  the  air,  and 
some  cried  one  thing,  and  some  another,  they  seized 
upon  Peter  and  John,  and  put  them  in  JBocardo 
(which  was  the  name  of  their  prison)  as  disturbers  of 
the  peace,  and  also  as  guilty  of  treason  for  speaking 
against  the  laws  of  the  Island. 

1  Acts  vi.  10.  *  Acts  xvii.  5  Ads  xix.  25 


238  A  BEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

The  next  day  they  had  them  before  the  high  Court 
of  the  place,  with  a  jury  summoned,  and  deputies  to 
implead  against  them  ;  and  there  stood  up  to  convict 
them  a  great  man  in  those  parts,  whose  opinion  was 
wonderfully  regarded  on  all  matters  touching  com- 
merce and  the  laws  of  the  realm.  The  great  mer- 
chants of  the  town  of  Worldly  Conformity,  and  also 
of  the  grand  port  on  the  other  side  of  the  Island, 
made  up  a  large  sum  for  this  man,  that  he  might 
plead  their  cause  valiantly,  and  put  his  whole  heart 
in  it ;  and  indeed  it  seemed  to  delight  him,  for  he 
went  at  it  with  great  speech,  alacrity,  and  energy. 

He  said  that  the  doctrines  of  these  men  were  dis- 
organizing and  treasonable,  that  they  were  opposing 
a  law  of  the  land,  which  law  was  supreme,  and  being 
once  passed,  must  and  should  be  obeyed,  and  being 
for  the  high  interest  and  union  of  both  sides  of  the 
Island,  it  should  not  be  spoken  against,  nor  was  such 
a  thing  to  be  once  thought  of  as  that  it  should  ever 
be  altered  or  repealed.  He  said  that  the  law  was 
perfectly  constitutional,  -and  that  under  it  the  people 
of  every  city  were  bound  to  protect  the  dealers  in 
Rum  and  Opium  from  all  infringement  upon  and 
injury  against  their  business.  He  said  that  this  was 
law,  the  law  of  the  land,  and  that  those  who  went 
against  it  under  pretence  of  what  they  called  the 
King's  law,  were  miserable  fanatics.  He  then  in- 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         239 

sisted,  with  great  and  strong  words,  on  the  unconsti- 
tutionally, and  illegality,  and  inadmissibility  of  pri- 
vate men  setting  up  their  notions  above  the  law  of 
the  land,  under  the  pretended  idea  of  the  higher 
law,  that  exists  somewhere  between  us  and  the  third 
heavens,  he  never  knew  exactly  where. 

This  seemed  greatly  to  tickle  and  delight  the  sense 
of  the  assembly,  and  the  orator  was  quite  interrupted 
in  his  plea  by  the  applause  of  the  Court  and  bystand- 
ers ;  for,  poor  creatures,  they  were  nearly  all  under 
the  same  blinding  delusions  that  had  for  years 
prevailed  in  the  place  ;  but  as  soon  as  order  was 
restored,  he  went  on  again,  although  there  was  one 
man  who  gave  some  disturbance  by  crying  out  every 
now  and  then,  Great  is  Diana  of  the  Ephesians.4 

As  he  went  on,  he  said  that  all  judicial  opinions 
were  in  favor  of  the  law  of  the  land  in  this  case,  and 
that  no  man  in  the  Island,  whose  income  was  worth 
thirty  pounds  a  year,  would  stake  his  professional 
reputation  against  it.  He  said  that  therefore  the 
opposing  of  this  law  of  the  land  was  treason  ;  and 
here  he  looked  as  black  as  a  thunder-cloud  upon  the 
prisoners,  and  stamped  his  feet  to  give  the  greater 
weight  to  his  reasonings;  whereupon,  being  a  big 
man  and  heavy,  as  well  as  vastly  eloquent,  the 
Court  room  shook,  and  there  was  a  great  sensation. 

4  Acts  xir.  28 


240  A   EEEL   m   A   BOTTLE. 

He  then  proceeded  to  ridicule  the  conscientious 
scruples  of  Peter  and  John,  and  of  any  who  might  be 
so  far  gone  in  their  wits  as  to  think  as  they  did,  and 
he  made  the  Court  laugh  at  the  idea  of  such  scrupu- 
lous consciences.  He  said  they  were  the  men  above 
ordinance,  wTho  walked  about  like  the  man  in  the 
play,  prim  and  spruce,  self-satisfied,  and  thankful  to 
God  that  they  were  not  as  other  men,  but  had  attained 
so  far  to  salvation  as  to  be  above  ordinances.  That, 
he  said,  was  their  higher  law.  At  this  there  was 
great  laughter. 

Nevertheless,  the  man  in  his  plea  did  not  attempt 
to  deny  the  immorality  of  the  traffic,  but  stood  for  its 
legality,  putting  law  above  conscience.  He  said  that 
the  prisoners  at  the  bar  had  with  unparalleled  effron- 
tery accused  the  makers  and  upholders  of  the  law, 
and  those  who  pursued  that  traffic  according  to  it,  of 
setting  up  profit  against  conscience ;  setting  up  the 
means  of  living,  while  they  ought  to  go  for  conscience. 
But  he  said  that  this  going  for  conscience  was  just  a 
flight  of  fanaticism,  and  the  people  of  that  worthy 
city  must  beware  of  any  such  teachings  ;  for  as  long 
as  there  was  a  law  of  the  land,  and  they  became  men 
of  substance  under  it,  in  all  their  labors  no  iniquity 
could  be  found  that  was  sin,5  no  iniquity  that  was 
what  the  lawyers  called  malum  in  se.  To  put  con- 

6  Hosea  xii.  8. 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDEUMS.         241 

science  against  profit  in  such  a  case  was  a  mere  flight 
of  fancy.  If  what  we  propose,  said  he,  is  right,  fair, 
and  stands  well  with  a  conscience  not  enlightened 
with  those  high  flights  of  fancy,  it  is  none  the  worse 
for  being  profitable ;  the  matter  of  being  profitable, 
he  insisted,  could  not  make  a  thing  bad  which  is  good 
in  itself,  if  you  and  I,  said  he,  can  live  on  it,  and 
our  children  can  be  supported  and  educated  by  it. 

All  this,  and  much  more,  he  argued  in  the  case, 
though  it  was  worthy  of  note  that  he  did  not  any- 
where say  that  the  traffic,  which  Peter  and  John  had 
spoken  against,  was  a  good  thing  in  itself.  He  stuck 
mainly  to  the  argument  that  the  law  of  the  land  was 
to  be  obeyed  at  all  hazards,  and  must  govern  con- 
science, and  that  all  agitation  against  it  was  treason- 
able, and  must  be  put  down.  He  said,  moreover, 
that  religion  probably  was  a  good  thing  in  the  main, 
but  in  politics  it  only  made  men  mad. 

Now  the  words  of  this  great  man  had  great  weight 
with  the  whole  Court  and  Jury,  and  when  he  had 
finished,  the  case  looked  black  against  Peter  and 
John,  and  there  seemed  to  be  but  little  hope  for  them. 
Nevertheless,  they  were  not  in  the  least  degree 
daunted,  but  having  gotten  permission  to  speak  for 
themselves,  rejoiced  exceedingly  in  such  an  opportu- 
nity to  declare  the  truth.  Accordingly,  Peter  stood 
forward  first,  and  said  that  he  spoke  for  the  King, 
11 


242  A.   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE. 

and  in  behalf  of  the  King's  laws,  which  alone  were 
supreme,  and  against  which  some  of  the  statutes  of 
late  years  passed  in  these  Islands  were  in  manifest 
opposition.  He  said  that  he  would  not  undertake  to 
argue  the  case  anywhere  but  out  of  the  King's  own 
statute-book,  and  that  if  this  honorable  Court  did  not 
know  exactly  where  that  higher  law  existed,  by 
which  all  human  consciences  were  bound,  they  were 
not  fit  to  sit  as  judges  in  any  cause  involving  any 
principles  of  morality  whatever. 

If  they  did  not  know,  then  it  must  be,  said  he, 
because  that  is  come  upon  them  foretold  in  the  sta- 
tutes of  the  King,  Forasmuch  as  this  people  draw 
near  me  with  their  mouth,  and  with  their  lips  do 
honor  me,  but  have  removed  their  heart  far  from  me, 
and  their  fear  towards  me  is  taught  by  the  precept 
of  men,  therefore,  behold,  I  will  proceed  to  do  a  mar- 
vellous work  among  this  people,  even  a  marvellous 
work,  and  a  wonder ;  for  the  wisdom  of  their  wise 
men  shall  perish,  and  the  understanding  of  their 
prudent  men  shall  be  hid.6 

Also,  he  said,  that  the  earth  is  defiled  under  the 
inhabitants  thereof,  because  they  have  transgressed 
the  laws  of  the  King,  changed  the  ordinance,  broken 
the  everlasting  covenant.7 

None  calleth   for  justice,   nor  any  pleaded,    for 

"Isa.  xxix.  13.  14.  7Isa.  xxiv.  1 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         243 

truth  ;  they  trust  in  vanity,  and  speak  lies  ;  they  con- 
ceive mischief,  and  bring  forth  iniquity.  They  hatch 
cockatrices'  eggs,  and  weave  the  spider's  web ;  he 
that  eateth  of  their  eggs  dieth,  and  that  which  is 
crushed  breaketh  out  into  a  viper.  The  way  of  peace 
they  know  not,  and  there  is  no  judgment  in  their 
goings  ;  they  have  made  them  crooked  paths ;  who- 
soever goeth  therein  shall  not  know  peace.  So 
truth  is  fallen  in  the  street,  and  equity  cannot 
enter." 

To  the  law  and  to  the  testimony,  said  Peter,  for 
if  your  judges  speak  not  according  to  this  word,  it  is 
because  there  is  no  light  in  them.9  Then  he  made  it 
clearly  to  appear  that  the  Statutes  of  the  King  speak 
plainly  against  unrighteous  laws,  as  having  no  right- 
eous authority.  He  repeated  in  their  hearing  the 
King's  Statute  on  this  point,  "Wo  unto  them  that 
decree  unrighteous  decrees,  and  that  write  grievous- 
ness  which  they  have  prescribed.10  Also,  Shall  the 
throne  of  iniquity  have  fellowship  with  thee,  which 
frameth  mischief  by  a  law  ?"  But  there  was  no 
need,  he  said,  of  any  argument  on  such  a  point ;  it 
could  be  only  time-servers  and  men-pleasers  who 
would  ever  undertake  to  excuse  men's  wickedness  by 
human  law,  or  to  justify  the  wicked  for  reward,  and 
God  will  be  a  swift  witness  against  such  men. 

•  Isa.  lix.  4,  5,  8,  14.      '  Isa.  viii.  20.       10  Isa.  x.  1.      "  Psa.  xciv.  20 


244  A  REEL   IN   A  BOTTLE, 

Moreover  he  said  that  it  was  an  incontrovertible 
principle,  clearly  laid  down,  that  WHENEVER  HUMAN 

COMMANDS  RUN  COUNTER  TO  THE  DIVINE  COMMANDS, 
THEY  CEASE  TO  BE  OBLIGATORY  ;  AND  NO  MAN  CAN  AID 
IN  THE  EXECUTION  OR  SUPPORT  OF  SUCH  COUNTER  COM- 
MANDS, WITHOUT  AIMING  VIOLENCE  AT  THE  AUTHORITY 
OF  HEAVEN. 

In  the  matter  of  the  charge  against  them,  he  said 
he  would  detain  their  honors  only  so  far  as  to  read 
the  King's  Statutes  on  the  point.  Wo  unto  him  that 
coveteth  an  evil  covetousness  to  his  house !  For  the 
stone  shall  cry  out  of  the  wall,  and  the  beam  out  of 
the  timber  shall  answer  it.  "Wo  to  him  that  buildeth 
a  town  with  blood,  and  establisheth  a  city  by  ini- 
quity !  Wo  unto  him  that  giveth  his  neighbor 
drink,  that  puttest  thy  bottle  to  him,  and  makest 
him  drunken  !12 

He  also  quoted  a  more  recent  statute.  That  no 
covetous  men,  nor  drunkards,  nor  extortioners,  shall 
inherit  the  kingdom  of  God.13  He  then  demon- 
strated that  the  traffic  in  Rum  and  Opium,  though  it 
might  be  for  the  seeming  temporary  interest  of  the 
City  of  Worldly  Conformity,  was  just  nothing  else 
than  the  work  of  making  drunkards,  and  that  by  the 
Statutes  of  the  King  it  was  in  every  respect  illegal, 
inhuman,  and  unjust. 

12  Hab  ii.  9, 11,  12,  15-  "1  Cor.  vi.  10. 


FOR  JACK   IN   THE   DOLDBTJMS.  245 

Furthermore,  said  Peter,  all  your  talk  about  peace 
and  union  is  but  a  covering  of  sin.  For  what  ought 
to  be  the  object  of  a  union  of  these  Islands,  or  of 
these  great  cities,  save  only  the  protection  of  every 
man's  liberties,  the  redemption  of  every  man 
from  sin,  bondage,  and  misery,  and  the  establish- 
ment of  every  household  in  favor  with  God  and 
man  ?  But  if  your  union  be  founded  on  any  bargain 
with  the  King's  "Wicked  Adversary,  and  kept  up 
only  by  that,  then  it  is  accursed  of  God,  and  cannot 
prosper.  If  it  were  the  support  and  protection  of 
slavery  that  this  union  were  pledged  for,  then  you 
and  the  whole  world  would  cry  out  shame ;  or  if  it 
were  a  traffic  in  slaves  that  your  pretended  articles 
of  partnership  bound  you  to  support,  then  also  the 
curse  of  God  would  be  upon  it.  But  is  it  a  less 
monstrous  defiance  of  God  and  his  righteousness  to 
pretend  that  your  union  depends  on  the  infernal 
traffic  in  Hum  and  Opium,  and,  therefore,  that  the 
said  traffic,  being  legalized,  and  becoming  a  great 
matter  of  state  policy,  ought  to 'be  sustained? 

You  dare  to  call  it  a  flight  of  fancy,  when  we 
arraign  you,  and  all  your  pursuits,  and  your  laws 
also,  and  your  political  expediencies,  at  the  bar  of 
God's  law  for  judgment.  It  is  a  greater  piece  of 
fanaticism,  and  flight  of  fancy  by  far,  for  you  to 
dream  that  you  can  throw  dust  in  the  eyes  of  God 


246  A   REEL   m   A   BOTTLE, 

and  man  by  your  pretended  profit  and  law  as  the 
guide  of  conscience.  The  fanatics  in  this  case  are 
those  who  worship  Dagon,  and  affront  the  very  pre- 
sence of  God,  and  the  sanctity  of  his  law,  with  the 
demand  of  a  protection  for  their  profitable  idolatry. 
What  are  all  your  Islands,  and  all  the  commerce  of 
them,  in  comparison  with  Freedom,  Truth,  and 
Righteousness  ?  They  had  better  every  one  of  them 
go  to  the  bottom,  than  be  upheld  at  the  cost  of  man's 
guilt  and  misery,  and  God's  violated  law. 

And  let  me  tell  the  honorable  and  learned  Coun- 
sel, that  as  to  law  in  the  case,  Caiaphas  and  Pilate 
argued  in  the  same  way  as  he  has  done,  when  they 
condemned  the  Holy  and  Just  to  be  crucified.  They 
said  in  that  case  also  that  there  was  a  law  of  the  land, 
perfectly  plain  and  constitutional,  and  not  to  be 
spoken  against  nor  repealed,  and  by  that  law  he 
ought  to  die."  They  argued  also  that  it  was  far 
better  that  one  such  man  should  die,  than  that  their 
whole  hierarchical  union,  and  the  very  perpetuity  of 
the  state,  should  be  endangered.  And  they  said, 
that  those  who  thought  or  spoke  on  the  contrary  side 
were  miserable  misguided  fools,  who  could  not  con- 
quer their  prejudices,  and  knew  nothing  at  all  con- 
cerning the  matter.  But  they  are  the  fools  in  this 
present  case,  said  Peter,  who  set  man's  law  above 

"John  xix.  7. 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         247 

God's,  and  who  make  mock  at  a  religious  conscience ; 
they  are  the  men  in  the  play,  above  ordinance,  who 
imagine  a  vain  thing,  and  set  themselves  to  take 
counsel  together  against  the  Lord,  and  against  his 
Anointed,  saying,  Let  us  break  their  bands  asunder, 
and  cast  away  their  cords  from  us.  He  that  sitteth 
in  the  heavens  shall  laugh  ;  the  Lord  shall  have  them 
ji  derision.15 

After  this,  Peter  closed  his  speech  with  a  strong 
and  terrible  passage  from  the  King's  Law-book,  at 
which  the  faces  of  the  people  turned  pale,  and  even 
the  Court  trembled.  "Wo  unto  them  that  call  evil 
good  and  good  evil,  that  put  darkness  for  light,  and 
light  for  darkness,  that  put  bitter  for  sweet,  and 
sweet  for  bitter  !  "Wo  unto  them  that  are  mighty  to 
drink  wine,  and  men  of  strength  to  mingle  strong 
drink !  Which  justify  the  \vicked  for  reward,  and 
take  away  the  righteousness  of  the  righteous  from 
him  !  Therefore,  as  the  fire  devoureth  the  stubble, 
and  the  flame  consumeth  the  chaff,  so  their  root 
shall  be  as  rottenness,  and  their  blossom  shall  go  up 
as  dust,  because  they  have  cast  away  the  law  of  the 
Lord  of  Hosts,  and  despised  the  "Word  of  the  Holy 
One  of  Israel." 

Then  John  arose  and  spake  briefly,  and  said  that 
he  should  add  but  little  to  the  argument  of  his 

"  Psa.  ii.  1-5.  '•  Isa.  v,  20,  22,  23,  24. 


248  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

brother,  for  that  it  was  so  plain  a  case,  that  he  felt 
ashamed  to  argue  it  in  any  place  lying  within  the 
King's  dominions,  and  professing  the  worship  of  the 
true  God ;  so  plain  a  case,  as  they  all  knew,  that  we 
must  always  obey  God  rather  than  men.17  He  would 
only  remind  their  Honors  that  for  disobeying  the 
unrighteous  laws  of  Nebuchadnezzar,  the  names  of 
Daniel  and  the  three  Hebrews  were  had  in  everlast- 
ing remembrance,  while  those  men  who  helped  to 
execute  those  laws  were  themselves  devoured  in  the 
burning  fiery  furnace."  He  would  add  what  their 
Honors  well  knew,  that  the  Slave-trade  itself  was 
once  supported  by  law,  and  that  in  some  countries  on 
the  globe  there  was  still  so  much  wickedness  prac- 
tised under  statute,  that  even  slavery  was  protected 
by  law,  a  thing  which  all  the  inhabitants  of  the 
Islands  admitted  to  be  a  sin,  and  that  so  clearly,  that 
the  law  could  not  make  it  otherwise.  He  prayed 
them  only  to  judge  of  this  traffic  by  the  same  prin- 
ciples on  which  they  proclaimed  the  iniquity  of 
slavery,  and  he  had  no  fear  whatever  but  they  would 
condemn  it. 

Now  these  speeches,  together  with  the  heavenly 
deportment  of  Peter  and  John,  produced  no  small 
effect  upon  the  people,  and  made  many  among  them 
wish  that  they  had  had  nothing  ever  to  do  with  this 

11  Acts  v.  29.  "  Dan.  iii.  22. 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         249 

business,  and  others  there  were,  who  resolved  to  give 
it  up  instantly.  But  the  Court  had  taken  care  to 
have  a  packed  Jury,  and  thought  they  had  made 
sure,  in  regard  to  a  great  majority  of  them,  that  they 
were  not  addicted  to  any  flights  of  fancy  about  any 
higher  law  than  that  of  profit  and  the  land.  They, 
therefore,  felt  secure,  and  the  Judge  proceeded  to 
give  them  their  charge. 

He  charged  them  to  hold  close  to  their  minds  two 
considerations,  the  law,  and  the  profit.  He  thanked 
the  learned  and  honorable  counsel  for  the  important 
principle  so  powerfully  and  clearly  laid  down,  that  a 
business  good  in  itself  was  not  any  the  worse  for 
being  profitable.  He  said  that  he  did  not  need  to 
add  anything  to  the  cautions  they  had  received 
against  listening  to  conscience  against  profit ;  he  was 
perfectly  persuaded  that  in  this  enlightened  city 
there  was  no  danger  of  that. 

He  said  that  as  to  the  evil  of  the  traffic,  it  was 
clear  that  it  would  be  pursued  by  some,  and  that  if 
they  did  not  pursue  it,  it  would  be  worse  pursued  by 
others ;  whereas,  if  they  kept  up  this  traffic,  they 
could  do  much  to  regulate  the  evil  of  it,  and  might, 
in  time,  bring  it  to  an  end.  On  a  general  considera- 
tion of  benevolence,  therefore,  and  their  obligation  to 
do  all  the  good  in  their  power,  he  thought  the  busi- 
ness ought  to  be  sustained,  or  at  any  rate  that  good 
11* 


250  A   REEL   IN    A    BOTTLE, 

men  ought  not  to  be  denounced  for  sustaining  it.  He 
said  also,  that  being  a  partnership  from  an  early  date 
in  the  Islands,  and  some  of  them  having  entered  into 
it  on  the  faith  of  that  article  in  the  agreement  pro- 
tecting them  in  the  said  traffic,  none  in  the  commu- 
nity could  be  considered  at  liberty  to  disavow  or 
withdraw  from  that  article,  but  according  to  their 
compact  were  bound  to  sustain  it.  The  very  exist- 
ence of  their  Union  wonld  be  perilled  by  any  attack 
asrainst  this  law. 

O 

On  a  general  review  of  the  authorities,  the  Judge 
said  that  they  fully  maintained  the  point  stated,  that 
though  a  thing  be  contrary  to  natural  right,  to  the 
principles  of  justice,  humanity,  and  sound  policy, 
yet,  if  any  city  or  State  see  fit  to  establish  such 
thing,  and  continue  it  by  law,  then  we  are  not  at 
liberty  to  hold  that  unlawful,  and  wrong,  which  the 
legislative  power  of  the  place  hath  pronounced 
lawful.  As  to  the  claims  of  conscience  in  such  a 
case,  and  the  question  whether  God's  law  or  man's 
were  to  be  obeyed,  he  would  say,  Obey  both,  and 
make  no  trouble  about  it.  When  there  was  power  to 
enforce  the  law,  and  the  community  chose  to  pass  it, 
then  the  will  of  the  majority  ought  to  be  the  settled 
conscience  of  every  individual.  But  he  trusted  it 
was  not  necessary  to  enlarge  upon  this  ;  they  must 
remember  that  they  were  citizens  of  no  mean  city, 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         251 

even  the  town  of  Worldly  Conformity,  and  would 
conduct  themselves  accordingly. 

"When  the  Judge  had  thus  delivered  his  charge,  he 
let  the  case  go  to  the  Jury,  with  a  demand  that  they 
should  bring  in  a  summary  verdict. 

Now  it  happened,  as  the  righteous  providence  of 
the  Lord  would  have  it,  that  one  was  drawn  upon 
the  Jury,  an  old  man  named  Weep-in-Secret,  who 
had  been  a  humble  unnoticed  inhabitant  of^the  place, 
and  another  man,  a  kinsman  of  the  same,  named 
Judge-Righteous-Judgment.  These  men  had  grieved 
and  groaned  a  long  time  over  the  growing  pride  and 
declining  piety  of  the  place,  and  the  worldliness  and 
wickedness  of  the  inhabitants.  It  might  be  said  of 
them  that  rivers  of  water  ran  down  their  eyes, 
because  the  law  of  the  Great  King  was  so  little 
regarded.19 

Being  quiet  melancholy  men,  they  had  not  been 
challenged  on  the  Jury,  and  so  with  some  others, 
escaped  being  set  aside  on  account  of  their  opinions, 
which  the  Judge  never  suspected.  These  men  had 
taken  a  keen  and  lively  interest  in  the  trial,  and  when 
the  Jury  went  out,  could  repeat  by  heart  every 
argument  that  Peter  and  John  had  used,  and  every 
part  of  their  speeches,  with  the  meaning  of  them. 
So  what  did  they  do,  but  set  themselves  to  work 

''Psa.  cxix   136. 


252  A    REEL   IN   ^    BOTTLE. 

upon  the  hearts  and  consciences  of  the  other  jury- 
men, which  they  did  also  with  much  earnest  silent 
prayer,  after  the  example  of  Xehemiah,  when  he 
answered  Artaxerxes,20  for  they  fcH  that  the  honor  of 
the  King  was  much  concerned  in  this  matter. 

And  it  was  wonderful  to  see  what  success  attcr\dod 
their  efforts,  for  they  so  wrought  upon  the  minds  ot 
the  jurors,  that  at  length  they  brought  them  to  bf 
quite  convinced  that  it  would  be  a  great  sin  to  con 
demn  Peter  and  John,  who  owed  no  allegiance  to 
the  laws  of  the  place,  and  had  only  been  faithful  to 
their  Lord  and  Master.  Also  there  was  no  great- 
difficulty  in  proving  the  ungodliness  of  the  traffic,  the 
more  because  some  of  the  jury-men  bad  children 
rolling  in  the  gutter  because  of  intemperance,  and 
that  could  not  be  reclaimed,  because  everywhere  thr 
bottle  was  put  to  them  to  make  them  drunken.  Sc 
they  were  all  brought  to  such  a  state,  that  at  lengtb 
their  resolution  was  made  up,  and  they  set  Mr. 
"Weep-in-Secret  as  Foreman,  who,  when  the  verdict 
was  demanded,  stood  up,  and  gave  it  forth  in  this 
form ;  GUILTY  OF  OBEYING  GOD'S  LAWS  RATHER  THAJT 

MAN'S,    WHICH   THEY   OUGHT   TO   DO. 

"When  these  words  were  uttered,  the  Judge  stared 
at  the  man  for  a  moment,  as  one  astonished,  or  whc 
did  not  quite  understand  the  meaning;  then  he 

»Neh.  ii.4- 


FOK  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         253 

became  red  in  the  face,  as  if  he  had  been  insulted, 
and  he  angrily  told  the  Jury  to  go  out  again,  and 
bring  in  a  proper  verdict,  or  they  should  be  broken 
for  contempt  of  Court.  So  they  went  out  again,  and 
concluded  ;  kand  when  the  question  was  put,  What 
say  you,  Mr.  Foreman,  guilty  or  not  guilty,  the  Fore- 
man spoke  up  in  a  loud  clear  voice,  NOT  GUILTY. 

Now  this  was  a  dreadful  blow  to  the  Court,  and 
altogether  unexpected,  but  there  was  no  help  for  it ; 
they  had  to  discharge  the  prisoners,  for  they  could 
find  neither  cause  nor  quibble  whereby  they  might 
detain  them.  Moreover,  the  consciences  of  more 
than  half  the  people  that  had  witnessed  the  trial 
went  in  favor  of  Peter  and  John ;  and  indeed  the 
whole  thing  had  been  brought  about  by  the  King  to 
help  on  a  reformation  among  them,  and  it  could  now 
be  much  easier  for  any  man  to  oppose  the  traffic  in 
Rum  and  Opium,  which  some  would  gladly  have 
done  before,  but  that  they  had  stood  so  much  in  fear 
of  being  proscribed  and  ruined  for  their  politics. 

As  for  Peter  and  John,  they  were  exceedingly 
overjoyed,  and  thanked  God  in  their  hearts.  But 
they  went  quietly  and  gravely  out  of  Court,  all  the 
people  gazing  at  them  with  a  kind  of  awe  and  sym- 
pathy, that  kept  them  from  being  molested.  But 
they  had  had  enough  of  the  town  of  Worldly  Confor- 
mity, and  as  they  had  no  instructions  from  the  King 


254.  A   REEL   IN   A    BOTTLE, 

to  detain  their  ship  in  that  harbor,  they  would  not 
abide  there  another  night,  though  old  Mr.  WEEP-IN- 
SECKET  entreated  them  so  to  do,  telling  them  that 
bad  as  things  looked,  there  were  a  few  godly  souls 
that  would  be  glad  to  meet  them.  However,  Peter 
and  John  said  they  could  by  no  means  be  detained, 
for  they  felt  anxious  concerning  the  ship  and  the 
harbor,  remembering  what  had  happened  to  them 
even  in  the  King's  Islands  of  Peace.  So  they  com- 
mended their  friends  to  the  care  of  the  King,  and 
bade  them  farewell,  and  good  Mr.  WEEP-IN- SECRET 
accompanied  them  the  nearest  way,  past  Time-serv- 
ing Row,  down  to  the  vessel.  Their  ship  had  been 
warped  by  the  men  up  to  the  docks,  to  take  in  some 
provisions,  and  they  were  glad  when  they  found 
themselves  again  walking  the  dear  old  deck  in 
security. 

But  they  were  destined  not  to  get  under  weigh 
again,  without  some  little  trouble.  For  the  men, 
instead  of  anchoring,  had  merely  moored  the  ship  to 
the  bulwarks  of  another  vessel  for  convenience,  not 
knowing  but  that  it  was  staunch  enough  for  a  friendly 
grip  upon  them  ;  and  now,  in  casting  off,  by  a  sudden 
strain  and  wrench,  before  the  Cable  was  thrown  loose, 
the  bitts  broke  away,  taking  the  rotten  timbers,  and 
planking  of  the  deck,  along  with  it,  almost  to  the 
water's  edge,  just  as  if  the  vessel  had  been  made  of 


FOB  JACK   IN    THE   DOLDRUMS.  255 

dry  ginger-bread.  The  men  at  first  were  very  much 
alarmed,  seeing  what  had  happened,  but  as  soon  as 
they  saw  that  the  vessel  would  fall  to  pieces  almost 
at  a  touch,  and  had  only  lain  there  painted  up  for  a 
show,  they  could  not  help  laughing  heartily ;  and 
asking  the  Harbor-Master  to  send  in  his  bill  for 
damages,  they  enquired  what  he  would  take  for  a 
fleet  of  such  vessels.  They  said  they  could  mend 
the  broken  ship,  but  they  had  neither  paint  nor  saw- 
dust, and  she  would  not  endure  spars  of  sound  doc- 
trine. They  asked  if  all  their  shipping  was  ot  such 
material,  and  enquired  how  long  it  was  since  Hyme- 
neus  and  Philetus  had  given  them  the  canker?" 

Then  said  Peter,  Let  them  alone.  Every  man's 
work  shall  be  made  manifest,  for  the  day  shall 
declare  it."  The  calf  of  Samaria  shall  be  broken  in 
pieces ;  for  they  have  sown  the  wind,  and  they 
shall  reap  the  whirlwind ;  it  hath  no  stalk ;  the 
bud  shall  yield  no  meal."  It  shall  be  as  when  a 
hungry  man  dreameth,  and  behold  he  eateth,  but  he 
awaketh,  and  his  soul  is  empty."  In  them  is  fulfilled 
the  prophecy,  Their  root  shall  be  as  rottenness,  and 
their  blossom  shall  go  up  as  dust." 

There  being  no  wind  to  carry  them  out  of  the 
Harbor,  they  were  now  compelled,  as  soon  as  they 

«  a  Tim.  ii.  17.  "  1  Cor.  iii.  13.  "*  Hos.  viii.  8,  7. 

14  Isa.  xxix.  8.  "  Isa.  v.  24. 


256  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

got  clear,  to  pnt  all  hands  in  the  boats,  with  sweeps, 
so  that  the  work  of  getting  away  from  that  place  was 
some  of  the  hardest  they  had  had  in  all  their  expe- 
rience. Nevertheless,  they  were  so  glad  to  be  mov- 
ing, that  they  broke  forth  of  their  own  accord,  in  au 
old  song,  whereat  Peter  and  John  were  greatly  de- 
lighted, and  joined  with  them  ;  and  the  melody  was 
so  new  and  strange  to  the  people  on  shore,  and  it  was 
so  surprising  a  sight  to  see  a  vessel  clearing  the 
Harbor  in  that  style,  that  they  crowded1  down  to  the 
docks,  and  ran  aboard  their  old  painted  ships  to 
listen.  The  song  they  sang  ran  as  follows : — 

O  when  shall  I  see  Jesus, 

And  reign  with  him  above  ? 
And  from  that  flowing  fountain 

Drink  everlasting  love  ? 
When  shall  I  be  delivered 

From  this  vain  world  of  sin, 
And  with  my  Blessed  Jesus 

Drink  endless  pleasures  in  ? 

But  now  I  am  a  sailor, 

My  Captain's  gone  befo^ , 
He's  given  me  my  orders 

And  bid  me  not  give  o'er. 
His  faithful  word  is  promised 

A  righteous  crown  to  give, 
And  all  his  valiant  seamen 

Eternal  life  shall  have. 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDEUMS.         257 

Through  grace  I  am  determined 

To  conquer,  1  hough  I  die; 
And  then  away  to  Jesus, 

On  wings  of  love  to  fly. 
Farewell  to  sin  and  sorrow, 

I  bid  you  all  adieu, 
And  O  my  friends  prove  faithful, 

And  on  your  way  pursue. 

And  if  you  meet  with  troubles 

And  trials  on  your  way, 
Then  cast  your  cares  on  Jesus 

And  don't  forget  to  pray. 
Gird  on  the  heavenly  armor 

Of  faith,  and  hope,  and  love ; 
Then  when  the  combat's  ended 

He'll  carry  you  above. 


CHAPTER  XHI. 

THE   EFFECTUAL   CALLING. 

WHEN  they  had  once  got  clear  of  the  Harbor,  they 
found  that  whereas  it  had  been  almost  a  dead  calm 
within,  there  was  a  fresh  breeze  blowing  without, 
rendering  boats  and  oars  superfluous.  So  the  men 
gladly  returned  to  the  ship,  and  all  sail  was  again  set 
for  the  Celestial  Country. 

Now  did  Peter  and  John  busy  themselves  with 
running  up  in  their  log-books  some  account  of  what 
they  had  gone  through  on  land  ;  and  comparing  notes 
as  to  the  strange  things  that  had  happened,  Peter 
said  that  for  his  part,  if  he  did  not  know  better,  he 
might  have  thought  they  had  fallen  upon  the  very 
Island  laid  down  in  the  King's  Chart,  as  inhabited  by 
those  who  taught  things  which  they  ought  not,  for 
filthy  lucre's  sake,  of  whom  it  was  said  The  Cretians 
are  always  liars,  evil  beasts,  slow  bellies.1 

1  Tit.  i.  12. 


A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE.  259 

JOHN. — They  pretended  a  great  regard  for  law,  but 
it  was  on  purpose  to  trample  upon  equity  and  right- 
eousness. They  are  well  known  hypocrites,  for  the 
very  same  law  that  they  professed  to  hold  so  sacred, 
as  to  be  of  power  to  bind  the  conscience,  even  in 
spite  of  God's  law,  they  did  not  scruple  to  laugh  at 
and  defy,  in  smuggling  their  own  rum  and  opium. 
Yet  these  are  the  men  who  made  such  fierce  procla- 
mation of  rendering  unto  Caesar  the  things  that  be 
Caesar's." 

PETER. — Do  you  imagine  they  have  any  conscience 
at  all  in  the  matter  ? 

JOHN. — They  may,  but  if  they  have,  it  is  only  as 
the  Cretians  had,  of  whom  Paul  said  that  their  very 
mind  and  conscience  is  defiled.*  But  what  is  con- 
science good  for  in  such  a  case  ?  Only  to  make  the 
worse  appear  the  better  reason.  Despising  God's 
Word,  there  is  no  light  in  them. 

PETER. — "Well,  truly,  a  man  can  no  more  set  his 
conscience  right,  without  God's  law,  than  one  at  sea 
can  keep  the  true  time  without  the  sun  ;  night  and 
day,  summer  and  winter,  would  soon  get  mixt  and 
confounded  together. 

JOHN. — No,  neither  can  the  conscience  any  more  be 
a  reliable  guide  without  the  Word  of  God  to  instruct 
it,  than  the  compass  can  set  a  ship's  course  without 

'Matt,  xxii  21.  'Tit.  i.  15. 


260  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

the  needle.  Indeed,  it  is  no  compass  at  all  without 
the  needle.  It  would  make  the  ship  go  round  and 
round  as  in  a  whirlpool. 

PETEK. — These  are  Corban-men,4  such  as  Christ 
hated.  Has  there  ever  been  any  kind  of  wickedness 
on  earth  that  has  not  been  sanctified  by  law  ?  And, 
truly,  if  human  law  could  make  a  thing  right,  there 
is  no  form  of  sin  under  the  whole  heaven  that  might 
not  be  consecrated.  Tea,  verily,  the  Hebrew  mid- 
wives  were  bound  to  have  killed  all  the  Hebrew 
children  as  soon  as  they  were  born,  and  the  three 
men  ought  to  have  bowed  down  to  Nebuchadnezzar's 
image  as  soon  as  it  was  set  up,  and  Daniel  himself 
ought  not  to  have  made  any  prayer  to  any  god  or 
man  save  the  mad  king,  for  thirty  days. 

Joux. — I  have  heard  people  say,  in  a  hurrah  for 
an  unjust  war,  Our  country,  right  or  wrong !  Go  it 
blind  !  Now  that  ignorant  Pagans,  who  never  heard 
of  God's  "Word,  and  of  the  Christian  religion,  should 
be  ready  to  go  it  blind,  would  not  be  any  wise  aston- 
ishing. But  that  a  Judge  in  a  Christian  land  should 
teach  such  a  doctrine  is  indeed  amazing.  God  is  not 
in  all  his  thoughts,  and  he  would  make  atheists  of  all 
the  people,  when  he  tells  them  they  are  to  recognize 
no  law  of  higher  social  obligation  than  the  constitu- 

*Markvii.  11. 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDKUMS.         261 

tion  of  their  country,  and  the  laws  made  in  pursu- 
ance of  it. 

PETER. — This  is  the  ready  way  to  sanction  and 
perpetuate  all  wickedness.  The  man  who  says  this, 
would  bow  down  to  Moloch  in  a  land  where  Moloch's 
worship  is  part  of  the  constitution  and  laws  of  the 
country.  The  man  who  teaches  this  must  be  a  lineal 
descendant  from  Cain,  who  was  of  that  Wicked  One, 
and  slew  his  brother;  for  this  teaching  would  slay 
its  ten  thousands,  while  common  wickedness  would 
only  take  its  thousands ;  and,  indeed,  a  country  must 
be  in  danger  of  being  abandoned  by  God,  when  its 
judges  utter  such  atheistic  and  monstrous  prin- 
ciples. 

JOHN. — Well,  there  is  no  knowing  to  what  lengths 
Satan  may  carry  a  man  if  God  once  gives  him  over 
into  his  power.  He  will  go  it  blind,  then,  with  a 
vengeance  ;  and,  indeed,  it  is  the  devil's  own  blind- 
ness when  men  can  be  got  to  believe  that  human  law 
takes  the  place  of  God's,  and  is  supreme  over  the 
conscience.  Methinks  a  people  that  can  be  tricked 
in  that  way  will  not  long  keep  their  liberties  in  any 
thing.  It  is  next  door  to  bowing  down  to  stocks  and 
stones.  He  feedeth  on  ashes ;  a  deceived  heart 
hath  turned  him  aside,-  that  he  cannot  deliver  his 
soul,  nor  say  Is  there  not  a  lie  in  my  right  hand  ?* 

*Js.  xliv.  20 


262  A    KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

PETEB. — It  makes  me  think  likewise  of  the  word 
of  the  prophet,  that  the  vile  person  will"  speak 
villainy,  and  his  heart  will  work  iniquity,  to  practise 
hypocrisy,  and  to  utter  error  against  the  Lord ;  to 
make  empty  the  soul  of  the  hungry."  But  God  says, 
Thou  hast  fulfilled  the  judgment  of  the  wicked, 
therefore,  judgment  and  justice  shall  take  hold  on 
thee.7  Do  you  imagine  that  those  who  thus  handle 
the  Word  of  God  deceitfully,  and  make  the  law  of 
God  of  none  effect,  can  escape  the  damnation  of  hell  ? 
They  are  kinsfolk  to  the  hypocrites  and  generation 
of  vipers,  whom  the  Lord  condemned  to  fill  up  the 
measure  of  their  iniquities,8  and  who  were  endured 
only  as  vessels  of  wrath  fitted  for  destruction.9 

At  this  time  the  watch  reported  a  sail  to  the 
North,  and  looking  with  the  glass,  they  judged  her 
to  be  a  whaler,  perhaps  on  a  return  cruise  ;  so  they 
shortened  sail,  and  lay  the  ship  on  such  a  course  as 
to  meet  her,  if  she  were  so  disposed.  And  it  was  not 
long  before  they  came  near  enough  to  hold  some 
conversation.  She  was  a  clumsy,  dingy,  gloomy- 
looking  craft,  and  seemed  a  slow  sailer,  though  stout 
and  strongly  built.  The  first  question  came  from  the 
Captain,  through  his  trumpet,  for  he  seemed  in  great 
haste  to  speak. 

8  Is.  xxxii.  6.  7  Job  xxxvi.  17.  8  Matt,  xxiii.  32,  33. 

9  Rom.  ix.  22. 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          263 

What  cheer  ?  was  his  cry ;  any  whales,  any  blow- 
ing, any  oil  ? 

Then,  said  Peter,  This  ship  is  the  King's  own,  and 
bound  to  the  Celestial  Country. 

CAPTAIN. — Oh,  I  understand.  I'd  be  glad  to  go 
there  myself,  if  I  had  got  my  cargo. 

PETER. — As  to  that  matter,  if  you  are  emptied  of 
self,  the  less  cargo  you  have,  the  better,  except  it  be 
the  fruits  of  the  Spirit.  We  brought  nothing  into 
this  world,  and  it  is  certain  we  can  carry  nothing 
out.10 

CAPTAIN. — Well,  for  my  part,  I  don't  wish  to  carry 
anything  out,  but  only  to  have  plenty  while  passing 
through.  But  it  takes  a  great  deal  for  that.  A  man 
can't  live  in  this  world  for  nothing.  But  some  men 
seem  to  have  all  the  luck.  Now  have  I  been  nigh 
two  years  on  expense  all  the  time,  and  have  caught 
nothing.  But  I'm  not  going  to  be  a  fool  always ; 
some  day  I  mean  to  have  the  pearl  of  great  price. 

PETER. — If  I  am  not  much  mistaken,  you  are  one 
of  those  who  are  always  going  to  buy,  but  never 
buying.  After  you  have  made  this  one  voyage,  then 
you  will  set  sail  on  the  King's  account.  But  the  con- 
venient time  never  comes,  and,  meanwhile,  in  most 
cases  the  door  is  shut.  What,  if  it  should  prove  so 
with  you  ?  Is'nt  it  very  likely  ? 

10  1  Tim.  vi.  7.  ll  Matt.  xxv.  10. 


264  A  REEL   IN  A   BOTTLE, 

CAPTAIN. — "Well,  as  to  that  matter,  I  honestly 
confess  that  I  am  not  without  my  fears  and  thoughts. 
But  just  at  this  present  I  have  neither  time  nor  heart 
for  it,  no  room  in  my  hold  to  stow  it  away.  No !  I 
don't  even  think  of  it,  I  know  nothing  of  the  subject ; 
'tis  all  crowded  out.  I  do  believe,  if  I  could  only 
catch  a  whale,  I  should  be  a  pious  man.  I'll  tell  you 
what ;  I've  been  now  more  than  twenty-one  months 
looking  for  whales,  whales,  whales,  nothing  but 
whales.  I  have  been  ploughing  the  mighty  deep  in 
search  of  whales,  and  I  tell  you  I  am  bound  to  have 
a  whale,  I  must  have  one.  And  if  you  could  look 
into  my  heart,  I  believe  you  would  see  nothing  but  a 
whale  there.  "What  can  a  man  do  ?  It's  my  destiny 
to  have  a  whale.  But  if  ever  I  get  into  port  again, 
I  tell  you  I  mean  to  take  the  first  King's  vessel  I  can 
find  ;  for  this  is  a  dog's  life,  and  I'm  tired  of  it. 

PETER. — If  you  have  really  a  mind  to  quit  it,  you 
may  do  it  now.  We'll  give  you  the  best  berth  in  the 
Ship's  company,  if  you'll  come  aboard.  "What's  the 
use  of  putting  it  off?  Tou  may  never  see  land  again, 
nor  have  any  other  opportunity. 

CAPTAIN. — ~No\  but  I  must  have  my  whale.  It 
will  never  do  to  leave  the  voyage  half  finished. 

PETER. — Aye,  aye,  always  thus !  Suffer  me  first 
to  go  and  bury  my  father."  Had  you  not  better 

11  Matt.  viii.  21. 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDKUMS.         265 

leave  the  dead  to  bury  their  dead,  and  attend  to  your 
own  business. 

CAPTAIN.— Well,  well,  I'll  think  of  it. 

But  just  at  that  moment,  the  conversation  was 
interrupted  by  the  man  at  the  mast-head  crying  out, 
There  she  blows !  being  deceived  by  an  appearance 
at  a  great  distance,  like  a  jet  of  smoke  rising  from  the 
ocean.  Whereupon,  though  it  was  out  of  all  proba- 
bility that  they  should  encounter  a  whale  in  that 
latitude  and  longitude,  all  on  board  seemed  almost 
crazy  with  the  excitement. 

Where  away  ?  shouted  the  Captain.  Three  points 
on  her  weather  bow!  returned  the  mast-head.  Then, 
without  seeming  to  be  aware  of  the  existence  of 
any  other  object  on  earth  except  the  whale,  he  set 
the  vessel  before  the  \virid,  and  crowded  all  sail  in  that 
quarter,  to  be  for  the  hundredth  time  disappointed. 

Peter  and  John  gazed  after  her  a  little  while  in 
silence;  then,  as  her  form  receded  from  the  vision, 
That  man,  said  Peter,  will  soon  pass  his  last  opportu- 
nity, always  reckoning  on  one  more.  Alas !  when 
men's  hearts  are  filled  with  a  ruling  passion,  it  makes 
not  much  odds  what  it  is  ;  it  carries  them  away  as 
with  a  flood.13  There  is  no  standing  against  it. 

But  this  business  of  whaling,  said  John,  I  have 
always  heard  that  it  swallows  men  up  as  thoroughly 

13  Psa.  xc.  5. 
12 


266  A  KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

as  ever  the  whale  swallowed  Jonah.     Tis  true  that 
they  can  think  of  nothing  else. 

PETER. — Twould  be  the  same  thing  with  any  other 
business,  provided  the  heart  were  set  upon  it.  No 
matter  what  it  is ;  ever  so  small,  ever  so  large ;  a 
man  may  drown  himself  in  his  own  garden-spring,  as 
well  as  in  the  ocean,  if  he  will  put  his  head  under 
water. 

JOHN. — But  there  are  certain  things  that  carry 
men  away  as  with  a  whirlwind.  Just  think  of  it !  I 
have  heard  of  the  boat  of  a  whaler  being  once 
knocked  several  feet  in  the  air,  by  a  blow  from  the 
tail  of  a  fish  to  which  it  was  fastened.  Upon  coming 
down,  the  steersman  fell  into  the  whale's  mouth,  and 
the  teeth  of  the  animal  closed  upon  his  leg.  After 
being  in  this  terrible  position  for  some  time,  he  was 
released,  picked  up  by  another  boat,  and  carried  on 
board ;  where,  while  preparations  were  making  to 
amputate  his  crushed  limb,  he  was  asked  what  he 
thought  of  while  in  the  whale's  mouth  ?  With  the 
utmost  simplicity  he  replied,  "Why  I  thought  she 
would  yield  about  sixty  barrels  ! 

PETEE. — That  was  nature.  It  would  have  been  all 
the  same,  if  the  poor  fellow  had  been  in  the  jaws  of 
death.  But  he  would  have  made  a  noble  seaman  for 
the  King,  if  he  could  have  been  persuaded.  Such  a 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          2G7 

narrow  escape  sometimes  changes  a  man  from  stem 
to  stern  entirely. 

JOHN. — And  sometimes  it  leaves  him  just  where  he 
was  before.  'Tis  according  to  grace,  for  one  is  taken, 
and  another  left,  though  the  King  is  ready  to  take  all. 
PETER. — But  there  are  strange  providences.  Do 
you  remember  the  wonderful  preservation  of  that 
drunken  sailor,  between  the  jaws  of  a  tiger  and  an 
alligator  ? 

JOHN. — Perhaps  I  may  have  heard.    But  tell  it 
again. 

PETER. — "Why,  he  was  in  that  dark  part  of  the 
King's  dominions  called  Africa,  where  wicked  men 
and  devils  waxed  worse  and  worse,  trading  in  slaves 
and  the  souls  of  men.  It  was  the  coast  of  Guinea,  in 
a  river  called  Congo,  where,  in  a  state  of  intoxication, 
the  man  went  in  to  bathe.  But  he  had  not  been 
swimming  many  minutes,  when  the  men  aboard  ship 
discovered  an  alligator  making  after  him.  By  firing 
guns  and  shouting,  they  succeeded  in  rousing  the  man 
to  an  understanding  of  his  danger,  when  he  began  to 
swim,  with  all  his  strength,  for  the  nearest  point  of 
the  shore.  It  was  a  place  like  a  jungle  for  wild 
beasts,  and  in  fact  there  was  a  ferocious  tiger  in  the 
thicket  among  the  canes,  watching  him.  Just  as  the 
man  neared  the  shore,  and  was  about  to  spring  out  of 
the  water,  the  huge  alligator  from  behind  had  over- 


268  A  EEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

taken  him,  and  would  certainly  have  seized  him  ;  but 
at  that  very  instant,  the  tiger,  making  a  spring  to- 
wards him,  encountered,  instead  of  the  man,  the  jaws 
of  the  alligator,  and  a  fierce  conflict  ensued  between 
them,  which  ended  in  the  tiger  being  overcome,  and 
drawn  down  to  the  bottom,  while  the  man,  trembling 
and  half  dead  with  terror,  escaped.  He  was  carried 
on  board,  thoroughly  sobered,  and  the  moment  he 
reached  the  deck,  he  fell  down  on  his  knees  in  the 
presence  of  them  all,  and  gave  thanks  to  God  for  his 
preservation,  and  from  that  time  to  the  hour  when  the 
good  man  that  afterwards  told  the  story  was  writing 
the  account  of  it,  he  was  never  again  seen  in  the 
least  degree  intoxicated,  nor  ever  was  heard  to  utter 
a  single  oath.  If  there  ever  was  a  reformed  creature, 
they  believed  that  that  sailor  was  the  man. 

JOHN. — Well,  that  was  a  wonderful  case,  certainly, 
but  not  more  so  than  one,  the  account  of  which  I  can 
give  you  almost  in  the  words  of  the  sailor  himself, 
who  became  one  of  the  King's  own  seamen.  There 
were  two  large  ships  in  company,  with  soldiers  from 
certain  regiments  aboard  each,  and  they  were  about 
crossing  the  line,  and  being  nearly  a  mile  apart,  on  a 
fine  day,  the  soldiers  and  crew  of  both  ships  got  leave 
to  have  a  swim.  So  that  this  sailor  that  I  speak  of 
plunged  in,  with  a  great  many  more.  Meantime,  one 
of  the  swimmers  from  the  other  ship,  with  a  bottle  of 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          269 

rum  in  his  band,  swam  out  from  the  rest,  and  chal- 
lenged any  one  of  the  other  ship's  company  to  meet 
him  half  way.  The  sailor  that  I  speak  of,  being  a  dar- 
ing swimmer,  struck  out  with  a  soldier  in  company, 
but  none  of  the  rest  dared  go.  They  had  got  to 
about  the  distance  of  half  a  mile  from  the  ship,  when 
the  mate  in  the  rigging  saw  a  shark,  and  called  out 
to  the  men  to  come  aboard.  Then  you  may  be  sure 
there  was  a  panic,  and  those  that  were  the  nearest, 
obeyed  with  all  haste  for  their  lives,  and  a  boat  was 
lowered  for  the  rest,  but  still  the  soldier  and  the 
sailor  were  left  swimming. 

Now  a  hook  had  been  baited  with  a  great  piece  of 
pork,  and  thrown  overboard,  in  hopes  of  decoying 
the  shark  from  the  men,  but  it  seemed  as  if  he  steered 
straight  for  them,  and  by  the  time  they  reached  the 
ship,  and  got  hold  of  a  rope,  the  shark  was  just  be- 
neath them.  The  weight  and  jerks  of  the  men  broke 
the  rope  loose,  and  both  plunged  again  into  the  sea 
alongside  the  monster.  Nevertheless,  the  sailor  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  round  to  the  stern  of  the  ship  in 
safety,  and  by  another  rope  got  on  board.  But  the 
poor  soldier,  being  almost  exhausted,  was  still  in  the 
water,  and  the  shark  could  be  seen  from  the  deck  just 
opening  his  mouth  to  snatch  his  prey.  Then  the 
men  shouted  to  the  swimmer  to  kick  with  his  feet 
violently,  which  he  did,  and  as  a  kind  Providence 


270 


A    REEL   IX    A   BOTTLE. 


would  have  it,  struck  the  shark  on  the  nose,  which 
made  the  monster  turn  away  for  a  moment,  for  you  know 
he  is  a  great  coward,  and  then  the  man  was  instantly 
secured  by  a  rope  with  a  noose  to  it,  and  drawn  on 
board.  So  they  were  both  saved,  and  the  shark,  dis- 
appointed, encountering  the  bait  that  was  dodging 
about  for  him,  seized  hold  upon  that,  so  that  the  men 
caught  him  fast  and  killed  him.  He  measured  near 
sixteen  feet,  with  a  pair  of  jaws  that  could  with  ease 
have  craunched  a  good  sized  barrel. 

Kow  this  was  a  most  merciful  escape  for  both  these 
men,  though  I  never  heard  that  more  than  one  of 
them  laid  it  seriously  to  heart.  But  as  for  the  sailor, 
all  the  thoughts  about  God  and  eternity  that  he  had 
ever  known  (for  indeed  he  had  been  taught  concern- 
ing the  things  of  religion  in  his  childhood,)  did  come 
crowding  into  his  mind,  and  his  being  rescued  from 
that  untimely  death  was  the  means  of  his  enlisting 
for  the  Celestial  Country. 

PETER. — Well,  I  would  it  had  been  so  with  the 
other ;  but  ten  to  one  he'  went  on  just  as  before. 

JOHN. — Perhaps  he  did ;  for  almost  always,  when 
some  believe,  divers  mock  and  are  hardened  ;  and 
eyen  the  very  same  providences  are  followed  by  dif- 
ferent results  in  different  persons.  Some  are  set  to 
praying,  others  go  on  without  prayer,  just  as  before. 

PETER. — Don't  you  know  that  by  the  very  same 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         271 

wind  a  ship  may  steer  either  North  or  South,  East  or 
West,  by  nice  trimming.  'Tis  according  to  the  will 
that  rules  on  board,  and  governs  the  course.  Have 
we  not  seen  vessels  scudding  into  the  harbor,  and 
others  standing  out,  by  the  same  breeze  ?  Just  so 
by  the  same  Word,  and  grace,  and  providence,  some 
men  make  for  life,  some  for  death,  some  for  heaven, 
some  for  hell. 

JOHN. — And  pray  tell  me,  if  it  be  so,  how  may  one 
distinguish  between  an  effectual  calling,  and  the 
ordinary  calls  of  God's  mercy,  that  every  man  has, 
but  not  every  man  attends  to  ? 

PETEE. — How  do  you  know  when  a  ship  is  an- 
chored ?  Is  it  not  when  she  brings  up,  and  swings 
round  to  the  wind  and  current?  But  if  she  drags  her 
anchor,  or  the  bottom  will  not  hold,  or  the  cable  is 
parted,  she  drives  on,  and  you  know  by  her  actions 
that  she  is  not  anchored.  Just  so  with  a  sinner  that 
is  called  of  God.  If  he  stops,  swings  round,  and 
brings  up,  then  you  know  that  God  has  anchored 
him  ;  but  if  he  drives  on  as  before,  all  God's  callings 
are  in  vain. 

JOHN. — Well,  that  is  plain  enough ;  but  some 
make  a  great  mystery  out  of  it,  and  puzzle  them- 
selves with  the  question  whether  they  be  of  the 
elect. 

PETER. — Who  knoweth  that,  or  can  tell  it,  abso- 


272  A   EEEL    IN    A    BOTTLE, 

lutely,  but  God  only  ?  The  foundation  of  God  stand- 
eth  sure,  having  this  seal,  The  Lord  knoweth  them 
that  are  his  ;  and,  Let  every  one,  that  nameth  the 
name  of  Christ,  depart  from  iniquity.14  Now  even 
we  on  earth  can  tell  when  we  see  this  last  seal  shining, 
just  as  men  took  note  of  the  disciples,  that  they,  had 
been  with  Jesus ;"  but  only  God  can  see  where  he 
has  placed  the  first,  or  can  tell  all  about  it.  But 
the  King  says,  By  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them." 

JOHN — So  you  would  say  that  where  there  are 
fruits,  there  is  an  effectual  calling,  and  that  men 
should  be  anxious  first  of  all  about  the  fruits,  and  the 
question  of  the  calling  will  be  soon  determined,  or 
will  take  care  of  itself. 

PETER. — Why,  certainly,  if  they  be  fruits  of  the 
Spirit.  If  men  see  a  ship  loaded  with  spices  or  with 
pine-apples,  do  they  not  know  pretty  nearly  where 
she  came  from?  And  if  men  see  plainly  in  another 
man  the  Spirit  of  adoption,  the  Spirit  of  Jesus  Christ, 
do  they  not  know  where  he  got  it  ?  Why,  truly,  it 
needs  no  great  depth  of  theology,  for  it  is  plain  sail- 
ing, and  any  good  seaman  could  make  it  out.  "When 
a  man  truly  obeys  any  of  God's  calls,  that  is  an  effec- 
tual calling,  and  when  a  man  himself  calls  earnestly 
upon  God,  then  he  may  be  sure  that  God  is  effectually 
calling  A«m,  for  that  is  the  way  in  which  God's  call 

14  2  Timothy,  ii.  19.  ls  Acts  iv.  13.        16  Matt.  vii.  16. 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         273 

is  known  to  have  taken  effect,  and  that  only  is  effec- 
tual, which  hath  such  effect. 

JOHN. — So  then,  if  a  man  pray  earnestly,  'tis  a 
proof  that  God  has  hold  upon  him,  and  will  not 
leave  him.  "Well,  that  is  full  of.  encouragement 
to  all  that  call  upon  God,  and  it  minds  me  of 
the  saying,  With  supplications  will  I  lead  them." 
For  God  reins  up  and  guides  his  children  with 
prayer,  as  a  man  doth  his  mule  with  bit  and  bri- 
dle, or  as  we  would  throw  a  cable  on  board  a  ship 
which  we  were  to  take  in  tow,  and  fasten  it  to  the 
Capstan.  So,  if  a  man  be  possessed  of  the  Spirit  of 
prayer,  he  may  take  it  as  a  sure  sign  that  God  is  with 
him,  that  it  was  God  who  fastened  his  cable  aboard 
of  him,  and  not  he  himself,  and  so  he  may  be  sure 
that  God  will  save  him. 

PETER. — He  may,  if  he  keep  praying ;  but  if  he 
leave  off  praying,  then  instantly  again  he  begins  sin- 
ning ;  and  then  what  proof  hath  he  of  God's  mercy  ? 
"Why,  then  he  hath  rather  proof  that  Satan  is  aboard 
of  him,  not  God,  and  that  his  adversary,  the  Devil, 
hath  a  coil  of  rope  upon  him,  the  which  he  will  not 
find  it  easy  to  cast  off.  A  man's  success  and  cer- 
tainty in  everything  depends  upon  prayer,  and  every 
blessing  is  promised  to  prayer. 

JOHN. — "Well,  for  aught  I  see,  it's  the  same  as  work- 

I7Jer.  31.9. 


274  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

ing  and  willing,  and  God  does  it  all,  though  under 
God  we  do  it  also.  He  worketh  in  us  both  to  will 
and  to  do,  according  to  his  good  pleasure.18  If  he 
did  not  work  in  us,  we  should  not  work,  so  that  if  we 
be  truly  working,  this  is  the  best  proof  that  he  is 
working  in  us.  It  is  not  less  his  working,  because  we 
work,  nor  is  it  less  our  working  because  he  works, 
but  God  is  all  in  all. 

PETER. — Yes !  Just  as  we  walk  the  deck,  but  it  is 
none  the  less  the  ship  that  carries  us  ;  nor,  because 
the  ship  carries  us,  are  we  any  the  less  really  walking. 
So,  though  it  be  God's  grace  that  carries  us,  and 
works  all  good  things  in  us,  it  is  none  the  less  we 
ourselves  that  walk  in  God's  grace,  if  indeed  we  are 
his,  if  we  are  really  alive  in  him.  It  is  none  the  less 
our  life,  because  it  is  his  life  in  us.  But  it  is  sweet  to 
trace  all  things  to  him,  and  to  receive  all  things  from 
him. 

JOHN. — Well,  if  it  is  grace  in  the  hull,  it  is  grace 
in  the  rigging  also,  and  yet,  at  the  same  time  we 
have  to  be  busy  at  that.  It  is  the  wind  that  fills  the 
sails,  but  we  must  work  the  sails.  The  wind  might 
blow,  but  to  no  good  purpose  for  us,  if  the  sails  were 
not  hoisted.  God  gives  some  men  both  wind  and 
sails,  and  yet  they  do  not  work,  and  make  no  progress, 
which  is  such  a  waste  of  God's  gifts,  that  they  had 

18  Phil.  2. 13. 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS          275 

better  never  have  had  either,  than  make  such  an  abuse 
of  them. 

PETER. — I  tell  you,  true  faith  and  true  works 
always  go  together,  and  neither  is  true  and  genuine 
without  the  other ;  but  faith  is  at  the  beginning;  faith 
comes  first,  and  then  works  come  out  of  faith,  just  as 
a  flower  comes  out  of  the  bud,  or  the  fruit  of  the 
flower,  and  all  out  of  the  roots.  So  everything  is  of 
the  King's  love  and  grace,  and  nothing  good  that 
hath  not  its  root  in  him. 

It  was  exceeding  fair  and  bright  upon  the  sea,  as 
they  continued  these  conversations,  and  the  air  had  a 
wondrous  lightness  and  elasticity,  so  that  it  was  a 
joy  to  breathe.  Moreover,  they  could  see  afar  off 
with  great  distinctness,  and  the  prospect  seemed  to 
stretch  into  infinitude.  It  was  a  pleasure  to  walk  the 
deck,  and  gaze,  and  meditate.  It  seemed  almost  as 
if  heaven  had  come  down  upon  the  deep,  and  the 
waves  danced  in  the  light,  as  though  they  too  were 
intelligent  and  joyous  creatures.  The  water  also  was 
so  clear,  that  far  down  in  the  depths  the  creatures  of 
the  sea  were  visible  ;  huge  fishes  of  the  form  of  the 
grampus  could  be  seen  sporting  and  gambolling, 
exceedingly  beautiful  ;  now  darting  with  incredible 
swiftness  around  the  ship  from  stem  to  stern,  now 
shooting  off  at  a  distance,  rising  to  the  surface,  cut- 
ting the  crest  of  a  wave  in  the  air,  then  returning 


276  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

and  darting  this  way  and  that,  and  thus,  as  from 
mere  sportive  delight,  keeping  company  with  the 
ship  a  long  time,  as  if  they  believed  her  to  be  a  crea- 
ture of  the  deep  with  themselves.  Everything  above, 
below,  around,  seemed  full  of  glory ;  but  as  yet  no 
land  was  visible. 

Their  hymns  of  praise  arose  in  the  midst  of  all  this 
loveliness  and  beauty,  whether  at  morning,  noon  or 
night,  with  an  indescribable  richness  and  power  of 
melody. 

O  Lord,  my  King,  where'er  Thou  art, 
Thy  light  is  sweetness  to  my  heart ; 
Thee  in  all  objects  I  would  see, 
By  seeing  all  things,  Lord,  in  Thee. 

Hast  Thou  not  lit  the  secret  flame, 
That  burns  in  love  at  thy  dear  name  ? 
How  else  should  I  to  thee  aspire, 
Or  who  could  answer  my  desire  ? 

What  can  subdue  my  stubborn  will, 
Or  keep  me  in  obedience  still  ? 
What  power  but  thine,  Almighty  Lord 
Thy  Spirit,  and  thy  Sovereign  Word  ? 

Oh  then  redeem  and  set  me  free, 
To  find  my  happiness  in  Thee, 
And  fill  me,  from  its  source  above, 
With  thy  refining  flame  of  love. 


FOB   JACK    m   THE   DOLDRUMS.  277 

Then  shall  I,  with  exulting  mind, 
Thy  service  perfect  freedom  find  ; 
My  life,  through  all  its  days,  be  given 
To  Thee  on  earth,   with  Thee  in  Heaven. 

It  was  such  a  night  as  this,  said  Peter,  the  air  soft 
and  balmy,  the  breeze  gentle,  the  heavens  serene  and 
cloudless,  and  the  sea  calm,  that  a  sailor  was  once 
walking  the  deck  and  admiring  the  loveliness  of 
nature,  when  suddenly  and  unaccountably  the  words 
Pray-without-ceasing19  came  across  his  mind,  or  rather 
darted  upon  it,  as  an  arrow  might  dart  from  the  sky, 
created  on  the  instant.  Pray  without  ceasing  !  The 
utterance  was  so  definite,  and  the  impression  so  strong 
and  decisive,  that  he  could  not  help  repeating  over 
the  words  again  and  again,  and  asking  himself  where 
he  could  have  heard  them.  At  length  he  recollected. 
Seven  years  before,  after  a  long  absence  from  his 
native  land,  he  had  returned  with  plenty  of  money, 
and  one  day  in  the  time  of  Divine  Service  strolled 
into  a  large  open  Church  in  the  great  City,  where 
those  words,  just  then  uttered  by  the  Minister,  were 
the  only  words  distinctly  heard  and  remembered  by 
the  sailor  amidst  his  idle  curiosity.  He  had  never 
thought  of  them  since.  But  now,  in  God's  wonder- 
working providence,  by  some  mysterious  association 
with  the  cloudless  heavens  and  the  calm  sea  of  this 

18 1  Thes«.  v.  17. 


278  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

beauteous  evening,  the  text  came  again  into  his  mind, 
and  with  it,  the  thought  of  that  dread  Being  who  had 
commanded  him  to  pray,  and  the  conviction  of  his 
own  guilt  in  living  without  prayer  ever  since  he  had 
been  born. 

From  that  moment  the  power  of  God  was  upon 
him,  his  sins  flashed  upon  his  conscience,  and  the 
thunder  of  the  Divine  law  shook  his  heart.  He  fled 
earnestly  to  prayer,  found  a  Bible  that  had  lain  un- 
touched in  his  chest  for  near  twenty  years,  deposited 
there  by  the  careful  hand  of  an  anxious  praying 
mother ;  he  read,  wept,  prayed  and  prayed  again, 
and  at  length  found  mercy  in  the  Lamb  of  God,  who 
taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world.  Such  are  some  of 
the  wonders  of  God's  providence,  in  bringing  souls 
from  darkness  to  light,  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto 
God.  Everything  in  nature,  this  twilight  on  the 
deep,  this  azure  starry  sky,  these  purple  waves,  this 
vast  expanse  of  ocean,  this  serene  and  solemn  still- 
ness in  the  sparkling  air,  may  prove  a  Word  of  God 
to  the  soul  whenever  he  pleases. 

Thus,  by  one  way  or  another,  God  will  effectually 
call  those  whom  he  hath  chosen,  and  by  his  Word, 
Providence,  and  Grace,  will  sanctify  them.  For  we 
know  that  all  things  work  together  for  good,  to  those 
who  love  God,  who  are  the  called  according  to  his 


, 

FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         279 

purpose.*0  And  by  and  by,  all  the  grand  steps  in  the 
process  shall  be  seen  in  all  their  sweetness,  loveli- 
ness, and  glory.  For  whom  he  did  foreknow,  he  also 
did  predestinate,  to  be  conformed  to  the  image  of  his 
Son,  and  whom  he  did  predestinate,  them  he  also 
called,  and  whom  he  called,  them  he  also  justified, 
and  whom  he  justified,  them  he  also  glorified."  And 
well  do  we  know, 

Grace  will  complete  what  grace  begins, 

To  save  from  sorrows  and  from  sins; 
The  work  that  mercy  undertakes 

Eternal  Wisdom  ne'er  forsakes. 

40  Rom.  viii.  28.  91  Rom.  viii.  29,  80. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

EXAMPLE,    GRACE,    AND  GLOBY. 

Xow,  said  John,  all  this  is  done  only  through  the 
power  of  his  Cross ;  yet  there  be  some  who  affirm  that 
Christ  Jesus  came  only  to  be  our  example,  to  lead  us 
on  to  goodness  and  to  heaven.  Do  you  not  remem- 
ber how  many  such  there  were  in  that  country  of 
Self-Conceit,  where  we  were  once  so  bogged  and 
entangled,  and  nigh  unto  ruin  ? 

"Well  now,  answered  Peter,  that  is  just  as  good  as 
counting  the  blood  of  the  covenant  an  unholy  thing,1 
a  perfectly  waste  thing ;  and  a  strange  enmity  it  is 
that  such  persons  have  to  the  great  and  precious 
truth  of  our  dear  Lord's  sacrifice  of  himself  for  dying 
sinners.  Tis  the  sacrifice,  and  the  grace  attending  it, 
that  does  all.  No  example  could  ever  have  done 
anything  without  that.  Besides,  the  wonderful  great- 
ness and  glory  of  the  example  itself  is  in  Christ 

1  Heb.  x.,  29. 


A    REEL    IN    A   BOTTLE.  281 

DYING  to  save  us.  They  who  believe  in  his  death, 
and  trust  to  that,  follow  his  life,  and  are  saved  by  his 
life,  and  none  others.  His  death  for  us  had  to  come 
first,  that  we  might  be  reconciled  to  God,  and  then, 
and  not  till  then,  we  can  be  saved  by  his  life,  or 
drawn  by  his  example. 

JOHN. — And  that  is  what  it  means,  when  it  says, 
I,  if  I  be  lifted  up,  will  draw  all  men  unto  ine.a 
'Tis  the  lifting  up  of  Christ  upon  the  cross,  and  the 
preaching  of  his  blood,  his  grace,  for  salvation.  Any- 
thing but  this,  hides  the  gospel,  instead  of  revealing 
it.  Yea,  if  the  example  itself  be  lifted  up  before  this, 
or  without  this,  'tis  a  hiding  of  it ;  and  if  the  gospel 
be  hid,  then  the  soul  is  lost ;  or  if  any  other  gospel  be 
preached  than  that  which  is  preached  in  the  Word  of 
God,  and  the  soul  trusts  to  that,  then  it  cannot  be 
made  a  partaker  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  nor  be 
changed  into  his  image. 

PETEE. — No,  my  brother,  it  is  by  manifestation  of 
the  truth  alone  that  the  Spirit  works  this  blessedness 
in  us,  and  if  the  truth  be  darkened,  or  the  Word  of 
God  handled  deceitfully,  especially  in  reference  to 
Christ,  then,  and  in  that  Same  degree  this  blessedness 
becomes  impossible ;  for  all  imagined  blessedness, 
without  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  is  a  mere  delusion. 
It  is  not  light,  unless  it  is  seen  in  God's  light ;  and  it 

2  John,  xii.,  32. 


282  A    REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

is  not  the  fountain  of  life,  except  in  Him,  and  in  Him 
only,  who  is  the  War,  the  Truth,  and  the  Life.3 

JOHN. — Well,  I  wish  that  all  the  blind  would  see 
it  so.  But  seeing  any  other  way  than  through  the 
death  of  Christ  only  makes  men  proud.  The  gospel 
of  the  example  is  poor  stuff  indeed,  without  the  gos- 
pel of  the  cross. 

PETEE. — A  man  must  come  with  the  heart ;  no  man 
can  see  with  the  understanding  merely.  Did  you 
never  see  a  man  with  his  spectacles  raised  upon  the 
top  of  his  head,  and  lodged  in  his  hair,  going  about 
anxiously  after  his  spectacles,  declaring  that  he  can- 
not find  his  spectacles,  and  cannot  see  without  them  ? 
Just  this  is  the  case  with  many  a  man  who  thinks  he 
is  searching  for  truth.  Men  put  their  spectacles  on 
their  heads,  and  then  leave  their  hearts  behind  them, 
and  wonder  that  they  cannot  see,  or  perhaps  deny 
what  they  do  not  see.  A  great  many  men  carry  their 
faith  in  the  understanding  merely,  and  then  run 
about,  looking  after  their  Christ  and  their  religion 
externally,  when,  if  faith  were  in  the  heart,  the  king- 
dom of  God,  and  Christ  who  is  its  life  and  light,  would 
be  found  within  them.  And  until  it  is  there  within 
them,  what  can  they  know  of  a  Saviour's  dying  love  ? 

JOHN. — That  is  the  very  thing,  for  as  I  was  saying, 
some  of  them  do  not  care  to  know ;  they  think  little 

3  John,  xiv.,  6. 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          283 

or  nothing  of  the  death,  and  yet  seem  to  make  much 
ado  about  the  example. 

PETEE. — Example !  And  what  effect  did  that  alone 
ever  have  with  self-willed,  obstinate  sinners  ?  Why, 
it  did  not  even  prevent  the  very  men,  who  saw  the 
glory  of  a  divine  example  before  them,  from  putting 
the  Saviour  himself  to  death.  Example !  Set  exam- 
ple before  Behemoth  !  He  snuffeth  at  it.  Behold, 
he  driuketh  up  a  river,  and  hasteth  not ;  he  trusteth 
that  he  can  draw  up  Jordan  into  his  mouth.4  Canst 
thou  bind  the  unicorn  with  the  band  of  example  in 
the  furrow,  or  will  he  harrow  the  valleys  after  thee  ? 
Wilt  thou  trust  him,  and  leave  thy  labor  to  him,  and 
believe  him,  that  he  will  gather  thy  corn  into  thy 
bam  f 

JOHN. — "Well,  it  is  the  same  old  unwillingness  to 
owe  all  to  Christ.  These  men  cannot  bear  to  confess 
and  feel  that  they  have  nothing  but  sin  to  bring  to 
God  ;  they  will  have  it  that  they  can  obey  the  ex- 
ample of  Christ,  and  make  such  obedience  their 
Saviour. 

PETEB. — But  the  example  of  Christ  can  do  nothing 
for  us  except  by  the  grace  of  Christ.  Those  who 
rejoice  in  Christ  as  their  Saviour,  by  his  sufferings 
and  death,  and  those  only,  love  to  follow  his  exam- 
ple ;  and  they  do  it,  not  to  purchase  heaven,  for  the 

4  Job.  xl.  23.  5  Job.  xxxix.  10-12. 


284  A   REEL   IX   A   BOTTLE. 

Lord  Jesus  alone  can  purchase  heaven  for  them,  by 
his  own  most  precious  blood,  but  out  of  gratitude  and 
love.  Example,  forsooth !  to  those  who  do  not  feel 
their  guilt !  Can  you  draw  Lamb's  wool  over  the 
eyes  of  a  shark  ?  "Will  the  Ethiopian  change  his 
skin,  or  the  Leopard  his  spots  ?'  Canst  thou  draw  out 
Leviathan  with  a  hook ;  canst  thou  bore  his  jaw 
through  with  a  thorn  ?  Will  he  speak  soft  words 
unto  thee  ?  "Wilt  thou  bind  him  for  thy  maidens,  or 
take  him  for  a  servant  forever  ?  Behold  the  hope  of 
him  is  vain.  His  heart  is  as  firm  as  a  stone  ;  yea,  as 
hard  as  a  piece  of  the  nether  millstone.7  And  just 
so  vain  is  the  force  of  mere  example  in  the  heart  of 
an  unbelieving  sinner. 

JOHN. — Yery  true.  And  after  all  our  provisions 
and  our  efforts,  'tis  all  of  grace  still.  Have  we  not 
the  King's  Chart  ?  And  can  we  not  trace  the  course 
of  noble  old  ships  upon  it,  that  went  safely  all  the 
way?  But  is  that  enough  for  us?  "Will  that  fill 
our  sails  with  wind  ?  "Will  that  carry  us  onward  ? 
Who  can  do  that  but  God  only?  Tis  sweet  to 
have  Christ  for  our  guide,  and  to  be  commanded 
to  walk  in  his  steps,  and  to  have  the  same  mind 
in  us  which  was  also  in  Christ  Jesus,8  and  to  arm 
ourselves  also  with  his  mind.9  And  furthermore, 
beholding  as  in  a  glass  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  we 

6  Jer.  xiii.  23.        '  Job  xli.  1-5 ;  9,  24.      8  Phil.  ii.  5.      B  1  Pet.  iv.  1. 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          285 

shall  be  changed  into  the  same  image  from  glory  to 
glory,  even  as  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord.10 

PETER. — Yes  indeed  !  You  have  got  it  now.  And 
when  a  poor  sinner  has  fled  to  Jesus,  with  humble, 
heartfelt  sorrow  for  sin,  and  has  thrown  all  upon  him, 
trusting  in  his  death  and  righteousness,  then  he  begins 
to  see  his  glory,  and  to  be  changed  by  it.  But  how 
shall  this  ever  be  except  by  the  same  all-conquering 
grace  and  love  that  brought  the  King  of  Glory  down 
to  die  for  mortals  ?  Of  this  we  might  and  must  ever- 
lastingly despair,  if  left  to  ourselves,  and  thrown  upon 
our  own  resources. 

For  though  the  example  of  such  infinite  excellence 
comes  to  us  in  human  form,  and  though  the  Divine 
glory  and  majesty  are  so  veiled,  that  we  may  not  be 
dazzled  and  overwhelmed  by  it,  but  may  come  into 
an  acquaintance  with  it,  and  may  measure  ourselves 
by  it  in  Christ  Jesus,  yet  we  are  so  entirely  alien  from 
such  a  spirit,  so  bent  and  deformed  against  it,  so 
native  and  inveterate  in  selfishness,  that  it  will  have 
no  more  effect  upon  us,  than  whistling  will  have  upon 
the  wind.  You  might  as  well  attempt  to  fasten 
the  anchor  to  the  main  truck  and  hold  the  ship  by  it. 

Furthermore,  we  are  so  plunged  and  lost  in  the 
ocean  of  our  guilt  and  wo,  without  the  blood  of  Christ, 
that  such  an  example  even  as  his,  would  have  no  more 
power  with  us,  to  draw  us  up,  and  save  us.  except  for 

10  2  Cor.  iii.  18. 


286  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

that  blood,  than  the  sight  of  a  phalanx  of  resplendent 
angels,  hovering  over  the  deeps  of  hell,  would  have 
upon  its  depraved,  despairing  inmates.  For  there 
would  be  no  more  hope  for  us,  without  the  blood  of 
Christ,  than  for  them  ;  and  the  bare  sight  of  such  an 
example  could  be  of  no  more  avail  for  us,  than  it 
would  be  for  a  shipwrecked  mariner,  left  alone  and 
struggling  all  night  long,  in  mid-ocean,  to  behold, 
with  clearest  vision,  the  unclouded  sun  rising  out  of 
the  horizon,  and  flaming  over  the  sea.  If  indeed  he 
could  take  the  beams  of  the  sun  for  his  chariot,  if  he 
could  lay  hold  upon  those  shafts  of  morning  rays,  that 
fall  upon  him  only  to  light  up  his  misery,  and  reveal 
more  clearly  his  hopeless,  irremediable  ruin,  then 
indeed  might  the  glory  be  to  him  not  a  vj^ion  of  de- 
spair merely,  but  a  medium  of  salvation. 

JOHN. — Well,  and  just  such  a  power,  just  such  a 
medium,  is  Christ's  dying  love,  if  a  sinking  sinner 
will  but  gaze  upon  him  dying,  will  but  look  and 
live. 

PETER. — Tea,  even  so.  And  now  suppose  that  as 
the  orb  of  day  blazes  over  the  waste  of  waters,  and 
the  eye  of  the  sinking,  despairing,  dying,  shipwrecked 
man  takes  in  at  once  both  the  glory  of  the  scene,  and 
the  extent  and  certainty  of  his  own  ruin,  the  rays  of 
light  assume  a  power  and  form  within  him,  enter 
into  his  soul,  irradiate  and  envelope  his  frame,  play 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          287 

upon  his  shoulders  as  wings,  and  give  him  a  feeling 
and  capacity  of  such  conscious  energy  and  impulse, 
that  gazing  earnestly  and  intently  upon  the  rising 
light,  he  finds  its  pinions  unfolding  from  his  body, 
bearing  him  up  above  the  deep  into  which  he  was 
plunging,  and  giving  him  the  disposition  and  the 
power  to  soar  like  an  Albatross*  and  fly  to  some  hos- 
pitable shore  of  safety.  You  will  say  that  this  would 
be  a  miracle ;  and  yet,  even  this  would  be  but  an 
image  of  that  change  by  the  grace  of  a  dying  Saviour, 
when  the  guilty,  perishing  soul  beholds  him  with  a 
believing  heart ;  a  faint  image  of  that  investiture  of 
glory  and  of  power,  with  which  every  despairing, 
dying  sinner  is  clothed,  the  injment  the  Sun  of  Right- 
eousness rises  on  the  soul ;  that  mighty  transforma- 
tion into  the  capacity  of  imitating  Christ,  and  that 
participation  in  the  reality  of  his  own  holiness,  which 
takes  place  with  every  guilty  soul,  the  moment  it  will 
but  look  to  Christ  with  humble  faith,  casting  all  on 
him.  Then  the  chains  drop  off,  then  the  powers  and 
impossibilities  of  a  selfish  and  inveterate  depravity 
are  conquered,  then  Christ  himself  begins  to  be 
formed  within  the  soul  the  hope  of  glory,  then  it 
rises  from  the  depths  of  guilt,  ruin,  and  despair,  then 
it  tries  its  pinions,  and  finds  them,  in  humble  depend- 
ence on  the  Saviour,  bearing  it  up  above  the  waves, 
soaring  away  with  it  towards  holiness,  and  heaven, 


288  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

and  everlasting  glory.  This  is  dying  love,  this  is  the 
power  of  the  sight  by  faith  of  a  suffering,  bleeding, 
dying  Christ,  the  sight  of  the  Saviour's  blood,  this  is 
redeeming  grace  and  glory.  And  this  is  just  the 
experience  of  every  guilty  soul  that  flies  to  Jesus. 

For  God  has  breathed  upon  a  worm, 

And  given  me  from  above 
Wings  such  as  clothe  an  angel's  form, 

The  wings  of  joy  and  love. 

Well,  answered  John,  after  silently  musing  a  few 
moments,  You  have  taken  a  high  flight  in  your 
thoughts,  this  time,  almost  out  of  the  reckoning  of 
many  a  sailor,  at  least  in  the  trim  and  spread  of 
your  canvas ;  but  it  is  all  true.  There  is  nothing 
that  can  be  said  about  the  love  of  Christ  to  dying 
sinners,  that  reaches  a  hundred  thousandth  part  of 
the  way  to  the  beginning  of  its  greatness.  And, 
therefore,  great  and  godly  Paul,  when  he  sets  forth, 
by  the  Spirit,  the  steps  of  this  flight,  this  flying  lad- 
der up  to  glory,  up  to  the  unsearchable  riches  of 
Christ,  begins  with  praying  That  we  may  be  strength- 
ened with  might  by  His  Spirit  in  the  inner  man,  that 
Christ  may  dwell  in  our  hearts  by  faith.11  There's 
the  wings  !  Christ  in  us  the  hope  of  glory.1"  Christ 
formed  within  us,  That  we,  being  rooted  and  ground- 
ed in  love,  might  be  able  to  comprehend  with  all 

"  Eph.  iii.  17.  "  Col.  i.  27. 


FOE  JACK   IN  THE   DOLDKTJMS.  289 

saints  what  is  the  length,  and  breadth,  and  depth, 
and  height,  and  to  know  the  love  of  Christ,  which 
passeth  knowledge,  that  we  might  be  filled  with  all 
the  fulness  of  God  !13  There's  the  wings  !  And,  oh, 
how  wonderful,  how  glorious !  There,  too,  is  the 
amazing  flight,  passing  all  knowledge,  and  never 
ended,  till  it  is  lost  in  all  the  fulness  of  God,  and  still 
again  never  ended,  but  on,  on,  on,  from  height  to 
height,  from  depth  to  depth,  from  glory  to  glory,  to 
all  eternity ! 

That  ancient  Singer  whose  heart  had  music  in  it, 
and  whose  songs  have  cheered  many  a  Seaman  on 
his  course  for  the  Celestial  Country,  had  a  view  of  it 
when  he  sang  so  sweetly, — 

I'll  praise  my  Maker  with  my  breath, 
And  when  my  voice  is  lost  in  death 

Praise  shall  employ  my  nobler  powers. 
My  days  of  praise  shall  ne'er  be  past, 
While  life,  and  thought,  and  being  last, 

Or  immortality  endures. 

•  Eph.  iii.  18,  19. 

13 


CHAPTER  XY. 

PRAYER,   PROVIDENCE,   AND   FAITH. 

THE  morning  after  this  talk,  it  was  blowing  heavily. 
During  the  night  the  change  had  come,  for  though 
the  weather  was  still  clear,  and  not  one  speck  of 
cloud  to  be  seen,  and  the  stars  shining  intensely 
bright  through  the  deep,  unfathomable  blue,  yet  the 
wind  had  come  with  fury,  none  could  tell  where 
from,  and  now  had  got  to  a  gale,  and  the  sea  was 
high,  and  the  ship  uneasy.  Some  of  the  men  had 
been  busy  aloft  during  the  night,  shortening  sail ;  for 
the  day  before,  and  at  sunset,  all  sail  had  been 
crowded,  the  wind  and  weather  being  so  perfectly 
fair  and  prosperous.  In  the  morning,  just  as  they 
had  finished  clewing  up  and  securing  the  fore  and 
main-top  gallant  sails,  all  on  a  sudden  a  startling 
report  was  heard,  like  the  firing  of  cannon,  and  the 
fore-topsail  split  bodily,  whereupon  the  men  lay 
out  upon  the  yard,  and  had  hard  work  reefing. 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         291 

They  had  scarcely  got  through  with  this,  when  the 
main-royal  blew  loose  from  the  rigging  with  another 
explosion,  and  flapped  and  banged  like  the  wings  of 
a  demon,  as  if  it  would  tear  the  mast  out  of  the  ship's 
centre.  Here  was  a  double  piece  of  work,  and  not 
without  danger ;  and  all  hands  sprung  aloft  to  get  in 
the  royal,  and  send  down  the  yard.  But  the  wind 
blew  so  furiously,  that  it  almost  held  the  men  fast 
bolted  to  the  spars  and  rigging,  and  they  had  the 
greatest  difficulty  to  secure  their  work. 

So  they  drove  on  for  a  while,  still  under  a  good 
press  of  sail,  considering  the  fury  of  the  elements, 
and  perhaps  too  rashly,  had  they  continued  it,  though 
Peter  and  John  were  not  afraid  of  the  wind,  so  long 
as  they  could  hold  on  safely,  and  keep  the  ship  quick 
answering  to  her  helm.  However,  the  order  soon 
came,  Let  fly  the  topsail  halyards !  Haul  upon  the 
clew-lines !  and  the  men,  as  quick  almost  as  the  words, 
lay  aloft,  and  got  upon  the  yards,  while  the  ship  lay 
at  such  an  angle  in  the  water,  that  it  seemed  as  if 
they  would  be  buried  in  the  deep. 

But  while  this  was  going  on,  one  of  the  foot-ropes 
gave  way,  where  the  men  were  reefing,  and  one  of 
them,  who  just  at  that  moment  had  no  hold  on  the 
reefing  point  or  life-line,  fell  sheer  over  headlong 
into  the  raging  sea.  But  by  a  gracious  providence, 
before  ever  the  shout  could  be  raised,  A  man  over- 


292  A  KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

board !  Peter  saw  him  as  he  fell,  and  with  a  sudden 
and  almost  incredible  dexterity,  cast  forth  the  end  of 
a  coil  of  strong  rope,  called  Grace-to-Help-in-Time-of- 
Need,1  in  such  a  direction,  that  before  the  ship  had 
shot  ahead  too  far,  the  man  succeeded  in  catching  it, 
and  getting  a  turn  round  his  body,  or  otherwise  it 
seemed  as  if  he  must  certainly  have  been  lost.  But 
the  rope  held,  and  the  man  clung  to  it,  though  half 
drowned,  and  in  a  moment  he  was  drawn  on  board, 
thanking  God  for  such  a  merciful  preservation. 

Now  when  the  wind  abated,  and  they  talked  over 
this  matter,  they  could  not  help  remarking  on  the 
good  providence  of  the  man's  fall  happening  by  day- 
light,  when  Peter  could  see  him ;  for  if  it  had  been  at 
night,  and  no  help  instantly  at  hand,  he  could  not 
have  been  saved,  with  the  ship  driving  so  swiftly.  It 
made  all  the  men  feel  anew  their  dependence  on  God, 
and  the  importance  of  being  prepared,  every  moment, 
for  anything  that  might  happen  ;  for  a  sailor's  life  is 
so  exposed  to  danger  and  death,  that  he  needs  to 
have  all  made  tight  for  a  better  world,  and  to  live  in 
unceasing  faith  and  prayer.  And  whether  he  is 
reefing  sail  in  a  storm,  or  dog-watching  in  fair  wea- 
ther, or  what  not,  he  ought  to  be  keeping  his  mind 
anchored  according  to  that  great  rule  of  Paul,  by  the 
Spirit,  In  everything  by  prayer  and  supplication, 

1  Heb.  iv.  18. 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDKUMS.         293 

with  thanksgiving,  let  your  requests  be  made  known 
unto  God,  and  the  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all 
understanding,  shall  keep  your  heart  and  mind 
through  Christ  Jesus.8 

Then  said  Peter,  The  Lord  upholdeth  all  that  fall,' 
and  if  never  a  sparrow  falleth  to  the  ground  without 
our  Father,4  how  much  more,  never  a  man.  And 
God  saith,  A  just  man  falleth  seven  times,  and  riseth 
again,6  but  the  Lord  only  can  make  him  stand.  The 
longer  we  live,  the  more  we  see  of  God's  interposi- 
tion. And  what  says  David,  "Wilt  not  thou  deliver 
my  feet  from  falling,  that  I  may  walk  before  God  in 
the  light  of  the  living  ?'  Thus  did  he  pray  unto  God, 
and  God  answered  him  Yes,  for  he  saith  afterwards, 
I  was  brought  low  and  he  helped  me.  Return  unto 
thy  rest,  O  my  soul,  for  the  Lord  hath  dealt  bounti- 
fully with  thee.  For  thou  hast  delivered  my  soul 
from  death,  mine  eyes  from  tears,  and  my  feet  from 
falling.  I  will  walk  before  the  Lord  in  the  land  of 
the  living.7  So  He  keeps  us. 

I  think,  said  John,  that  both  the  sovereignty  and 
the  particular  providence  of  God  are  very  precious  to 
every  true  seaman ;  and  in  truth,  these  things  consti- 
tute the  security  of  our  hope  ;  for  God  can  and  will 

3  Phil.  iv.  7.        *  Ps.  clxv.  14.         4  Matt.  x.  29.          6  Prov.  xxiv.  16. 
6  Ps.  Ivi.  13.  7  Ps.  cxvi.  6-1 0. 


294  A  KF.KT.  m  A  BOTTLE, 

do  as  he  pleases,  and  will  save  us,  if  he  chooses  to  do 
so,  whatever  enemies  may  oppose. 

PETER. — Yes,  but  some  men  make  both  these  things 
stumbling  blocks,  and  reasons  of  offence  and  fault- 
finding, and  others  plead  both  the  sovereignty  and 
the  special  providence  of  God  in  excuse  for  their  own 
stupidity. 

JOHN. — But  they  never  do  this  when  once  they 
begin  to  be  in  earnest.  Tis  a  bank  of  fog,  in  which 
Satan  wraps  the  soul,  but  the  moment  a  man  begins 
to  cry  out,  Lord  save  me,  I  perish,  then  the  fog 
breaks,  and  the  soul  advances.  A  man  may  have 
been  as  undecided,  fitful,  doubtful,  as  the  wind  in  the 
Variables,  but  the  moment  he  really  begins  to  pray, 
there  is  a  resolution  and  decision  of  his  whole  being. 
The  first  hearty,  agonizing  prayer  brings  him  at  once 
to  his  moorings.  Tis  like  the  mooring  of  a  great 
ship.  Suppose  one  end  of  your  cable  were  secure  on 
shore,  but  the  other  end  only  in  your  own  hands, 
loosely,  like  a  man's  mere  thoughts  about  prayer,  like 
his  evanescent  feelings,  or  his  coming  and  going 
anxieties  concerning  heaven  and  hell ;  neither  you, 
nor  all  the  crew  on  board  could  hold  on  to  the  cable 
so,  or  hold  the  ship  by  it.  But  suppose  you  take  a 
turn  with  the  cable  round  the  capstan,  why  then  you 
have  done  something ;  and  that  is  like  the  fastening 
of  prayer.  There  may  be  a  great  strain,  and  the 


FOK  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          295 

cable  presses,  starts,  and  is  ready  to  give  way  under 
the  strong  pressure  ;  but  you  take  another  turn,  and 
now  you  begin  to  be  secure ;  the  cable  will  neither 
start  nor  break,  and  the  fixture  to  which  it  is  fastened 
is  part  of  the  ship's  centre.  You  take  another  turn 
still,  and  all  is  safe  and  quiet ;  the  vessel  is  moored. 
And  when  this  is  once  done,  then  the  law  of  his  God 
is  in  the  man's  heart,  and  none  of  his  steps  shall 
slide.8  And  even  though  he  fall,  he  shall  not  be 
utterly  cast  down,  for  the  Lord  upholdeth  him  with 
his  hand.9  Tea,  and  when  the  ship  is  at  sea,  though 
a  rope  now  and  then  should  give  way,  and  let  him 
down  into  the  deep,  yet  there  is  also  sudden  grace 
for  sudden  troubles,  and  grace  to  help  in  every  time 
of  need. 

PETEB. — Well,  these  are  sweet  promises,  and  wait- 
ing upon  God  in  prayer  is  the  only  way  of  working 
the  sLip  safely.  But  the  way  of  a  fool  is  right  in 
his  own  eyes,10  and  he  putteth  darkness  for  light,  and 
light  for  darkness."  Moreover,  there  is  a  generation 
that  are  pure  in  their  own  eyes,  and  yet  are  not 
washed  from  their  filthiness.  There  is  a  generation, 
O  how  lofty  are  their  eyes,  and  their  eyelids  are  lifted 
up.1*  Therefore  God  says,  Trust  in  the  Lord  with  all 
your  heart,  and  lean  not  to  your  own  understanding.1* 

8  Psa.  xxxvii.  31.          '  Psa.  xxxvii.  24.  I0  Prov.  xii.  15. 

11  Is.  v.  20.  1S  Prov.  xxx.  12, 13.      "  Prov.  iii.  5. 


296  A   REEL  IN   A   BOTTLE, 

Humility  sees  clearer,  even  in  the  darkness,  than  pride 
when  surrounded  with  light. 

JOHN. — There  is  one  thing  we  may  be  sure  of;  if 
we  trust  in  the  Lord,  He  will  cause  all  things  to 
work  together  for  our  good  ;  and  under  this  rule,  for 
it  is  God's  own  rule  for  his  own  providences,  the 
things  that  seem  contrary  at  first  often  turn  out  best. 
God  sometimes  leads  his  children  by  what  seems  to 
them  a  very  round  about  way,  but  the  proverb  then 
holds  good,  that  the  longest  way  round  is  the  shortest 
way  home.  Travellers  often  endeavor  to  make  short 
cuts  for  themselves,  across  lots,  but  generally  run  into 
trouble.  We  may  think  we  are  going  straight  for- 
ward, almost  upon  an  air  line,  but  all  of  a  sudden  we 
are  brought  up  against  some  mountain,  and  then  we 
must  either  coast  it  till  we  find  God's  way,  or  return 
to  the  point  where  we  started.  Air  lines  are  good 
things  for  calculation,  but  they  can  very  seldom  be 
travelled  upon.  The  North  Star  is  good  for  naviga- 
tion, but  from  any  one  point  to  any  other  point  under 
the  North  Star,  a  man  can  seldom  sail  in  a  straight 
direction.  A  man  may  have  to  make  many  a  tack, 
and  in  going  North,  he  may  sometimes  have  to  make 
Easting,  and  sometimes  "Westing. 

PETER. — That  is  true ;  and  it  takes  a  great  many 
things  to  constitute  experience.  The  children  of 
Israel  might  have  gone  in  a  straight  line  from  Egypt 


FOB   JACK   m   THE  DOLDKUMS.  297 

to  Canaan  in  one  month,  but  God's  way  for  them  cost 
them  forty  years.  God  regards  not  what  we  wish, 
but 'what  we  need  ;  not  what  is  of  quickest  enjoyment 
for  us,  but  what  is  most  for  our  permanent  good.  We 
have  to  be  guided  in  a  great  many  things  by  circum- 
stances ;  and  one  of  the  greatest  trials  of  character 
here  on  earth  is  in  the  use  of  circumstances,  whether 
a  man  will  bend  them  for  God,  whether  a  man's 
supreme  end  shall  be  guided  by  circumstances,  or 
whether,  having  his  end  in  God  and  heaven,  he  will 
simply  make  use  of  circumstances  to  aid  him  in 
reaching  that  end.  A  great  many  persons  put  cir- 
cumstances instead  of  the  end,  and  spend  their  whole 
life  at  the  half-way  house.  Many  get  no  further  in 
their  earthly  pilgrimage  than  the  World's  Fair,  or 
the  Crystal  Palace,  where  they  go  into  business, 
which,  instead  of  being  a  circumstance  in  the  pil- 
grimage, becomes  its  main  end,  till  all  thought  of 
the  Celestial  City  is  abandoned.  Now  all  the  em- 
ployments and  concerns  of  life  are  but  circumstances, 
not  substances ;  means  only,  not  ends.  They  are 
transitory,  and  we  are  only  passing  by  them,  and  our 
use  of  them  is  but  momentary ;  and  God  would  have 
us  every  day  live  as  pilgrims,  as  sojourners,  who 
have  here  no  continuing  City,  but  who  seek  one  to 
come.14 

14Heb.  xiii.  14. 


298  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

JOHN. — Now  that  is  just  where  God's  providence, 
as  well  as  his  word  directeth  us,  if  we  know  how  to 
use  it  right.  But  alas,  there  be  many  so  blinded, 
that  they  cannot  look  up ;  and  the  labor  of  the  foolish 
wearieth  every  one  of  them,  because  he  knoweth  not 
how  to  go  to  the  City.1*  They  can  see  the  things 
temporal,  but  not  the  unseen  and  eternal.  A  man 
dwelling  a  long  time  in  a  cave  or  dungeon  where 
there  is  no  sunlight,  can  see  everything  there,  can  see 
the  insects  and  their  movements,  the  spiders  and 
their  webs ;  but  if  you  were  to  take  him  into  the  open 
day,  he  would  be  quite  blind,  he  could  not  see  nor 
bear  the  sun.  And  so  it  is  with  men  long  buried  in 
the  things  of  this  world,  with  hearts  set  upon  them, 
instead  of  the  things  of  another  world.  They  can  see 
nothing  else,  neither  God,  nor  Christ,  nor  heaven,  nor 
grace,  nor  providence. 

PETEK. — "Well,  in  regard  to  providence  there  is  too 
much  of  this  blindness  every  day  in  those  who  ought  to 
know  better,  and  ought  to  understand  the  meaning  of 
God's  discipline  with  them.  God  sometimes  has  to  put 
his  own  children  in  the  carriage  of  his  providence,  and 
drive  them  on,  they  know  not  whither.  They  tell  him 
they  want  to  reach  such  or  such  a  point.  They  think, 
if  they  had  their  own  way,  they  could  drive  straight, 
but  they  would  speedily  overset  the  carriage.  But 

"Eccles.  x.15. 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDKUMS.          299 

God  leads  the  blind  by  a  way  that  they  know  not," 
and  their  trust  must  be  in  him  that  leadeth  them,  con- 
tent to  leave  the  management  of  their  affairs  wholly 
in  his  hands.  If  in  all  their  ways  they  acknowledge 
him,  then  he  will  direct  their  steps,17  and  Oh,  how 
happy  such  a  life,  with  every  step  ordered  by  the 
Lord! 

JOHN. — A  man  must  walk  closely  with  God  by 
prayer,  and  then  God  will  walk  closely  with  him  in 
providence.  Many  a  seaman  has  found  that  out,  to 
his  great  content  and  joy,  and  has  come  to  know  by 
sweet  experience,  in  a  great  many  things,  the  truth 
of  the  rule  that  all  things  shall  work  together  for 
good.18  There  was  a  case  that  I  will  tell  you  of,  about 
an  anchor.  One  of  the  King's  Captains  once  had  a 
commission  to  sail  a  ship  with  some  ugly  hands  on 
board,  that  cared  more  for  swearing  than  they  did 
for  praying,  and  two  of  them  were  of  the  Man  of 
Sin  and  Son  of  Perdition,  believing  nothing  but  their 
own  Corporation.  Now  before  the  King's  Captain 
would  set  sail,  h6  made  particular  examination,  as 
was  always  his  custom,  to  see  if  all  things  were  right 
and  in  good  trim  on  board,  and  when  he  came  to  the 
cable  of  the  kedge  anchor,  there  was  something  in 
his  mind  that  told  him  to  have  a  new  cable  bent  on 
to  that  anchor.  It  was  not  that  he  found  anything 

16 1«a.  xlii.  16.          "  Prov.  iii.  6.          18Rom.  viii.  28. 


300  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

in  that  cable  out  of  order,  but  still  there  was  some- 
thing that  made  him  very  uneasy,  and  he  could  not 
be  satisfied  to  set  sail  till  he  got  a  new  cable ;  and 
though  it  took  some  time,  he  would  get  a  new  strong 
cable  bent  on  to  the  kedge  anchor  instead  of  the 
old  one.  So  they  set  sail. 

"Well,  it  so  happened  that  after  a  safe  voyage  all 
across  the  ocean,  they  came  to  anchor  in  a  great  road- 
stead where  there  were  more  than  a  hundred  vessels 
anchoring  beside  themselves,  for  it  was  a  place  much 
frequented  by  ships,  though  by  no  means  a  safe  har- 
bor in  a  storm,  as  the  event  proved.  For  it  came  on 
to  blow -with  such  fury,  that  almost  all  the  ships 
dragged  their  anchors,  and  a  great  many  went  on 
shore  and  were  dashed  to  pieces.  It  was  an  awful 
night,  for  the  gale  rose  to  a  terrible  tempest,  and  they 
had  out  the  best  bower  anchor  and  the  kedge  anchor, 
not  knowing  but  both  would  fail,  and  indeed  expect- 
ing it,  and  that  all  on  board  must  perish  ;  for  even 
amidst  the  darkness  and  roar  of  the  tempest  they 
could  see  that  the  ships  in  every  direction  were  break- 
ing from  their  moorings,  and  were  wrecked  without 
remedy,  and  they  looked  for  the  same  fate.  Espe- 
cially they  began  to  despair,  when  the  cable  of  the 
bower  anchor  parted,  and  the  ship  was  frightfully 
tossed  and  laboring,  and  held  from  immediate  de- 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         301 

Btruction  only  by  the  kedge  anchor.  If  that  cable 
gave  way,  they  were  certainly  lost. 

And  now  the  poor  miserable  creatures  on  board, 
who  had  been  swearing  and  ridiculing  the  Captain's 
prayers  all  the  way  across  the  ocean,  began  to  cry 
out  for  mercy ;  and  even  the  two  Pope's  men  came  to 
the  Captain,  for  they  knew  he  was  a  man  of  prayer, 
and  besought  him  to  have  a  prayer-meeting.  So  he 
told  them  that  they  ought  to  have  learned  to  pray 
before  this,  if  they  would  find  God's  mercy  in  the 
hour  of  danger.  However,  he  got  them  together,  and 
prayed  with  them,  and  though  the  gale  blew  on,  all 
through  the  night  with  unabated  fury,  still,  to  their 
great  joy,  the  kedge  anchor  held,  and  the  cable  was 
not  parted.  And  now  the  Captain  looked  back  to 
God's  providence,  and  bethought  him  that  if  he  had 
not  been  led,  and  constrained,  as  it  were,  of  God,  to 
put  a  new  strong  cable  to  that  kedge  anchor,  they 
must  before  this  have  gone  to  pieces. 

The  daylight  came,  and  with  it  a  dreadful  scene  of 
wreck  and  ruin  all  around  them,  while  they  themselves 
were  safe.  But  wh  at  was  the  great  wonder  of  the  provi- 
dence was  this,  that  when  the  gale  at  length  abated, 
and  they  drew  up  the  kedge  anchor  that  had  held  them 
from  destruction,  which  they  had  great  difficulty  to 
do,  they  found  hanging  to  it  one  of  the  most  enor- 
mous anchors  they  had  ever  beheld ;  and  they  found 


302  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE. 

that  their  comparatively  little  kedge  anchor  had,  by 
God's  wonderful  directing  providence,  when  they 
first  came  to  anchor,  slipped  one  of  its  flukes  right 
through  the  bolt  of  the  big  anchor,  and  there  held 
fast,  and  that  was  the  sole  reason  why,  when  almost 
every  other  vessel  in  that  roadstead  had  dragged 
her  anchors,  and  either  perished  or  been  greatly 
injured,  their  ship  had  held,  and  held  only  by  the 
kedge. 

And  now  the  Captain  and  all  on  board  saw 
indeed  why  it  was  that  he  had  been  led  to  have  that 
new  strong  cable  bent  on  to  the  kedge  instead  of  the 
bower.  And  they  were  so  affected  by  this  instance 
of  God's  providential  care  and  great  mercy,  that  they 
could  not  help  weeping.  And  I  hope  that  even 
those  two  Pope's  men  from  that  time  began  to  pray, 
and  to  pray  to  the  true  God  instead  of  the  Virgin 
Mary.  O,  there  is  nothing  like  being  suspended 
over  the  mouth  of  death  and  hell,  to  make  men  feel 
the  need  of  prayer !  And  O  the  happiness  of  trusting 
in  the  Lord  daily,  and  having  him  for  our  God,  who 
can  and  will  cause  all  things  to  work  together  for  our 
good. 

They  found,  on  measuring  the  ring  bolt  of  the 
big  anchor,  in  which  the  kedge  had  caught,  that  it 
was  just  barely  of  a  size  for  the  fluke  to  pass  through  ; 
so  that,  if  it  had  been  the  bower  anchor  instead  of 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDBUMS.         303 

the  kedge  that  caught,  it  could  not  have  held  them. 
The  big  anchor  had  perhaps  been  lost  there  a  great 
while  before  by  some  man-of-war. 

Well,  said  Peter,  What  man  in  his  right  senses 
can  ever  deny  a  particular  superintending  providence  ? 
A  man  might  as  well  be  a  fool,  and  done  with  it, 
saying  in.  his  heart,  There  is  no  God.19  I  knew  a 
young  sailor  aboard  ship,  that  had  gone  through  a 
thousand  perils  of  storm  and  rough  weather,  one  fine 
pleasant  day  within  a  hair's  breadth  of  death  while 
leisurely  working.  He  had  been  aloft  all  the  after- 
noon, nearly,  very  busily  at  work,  and  for  as  much  as 
an  hour  he  was  standing  on  the  fore-top-gallant  yard, 
which  was  hoisted  up,  and  hung  only  by  the  tie. 
And  when  he  had  got  through  his  work,  he  brailed  up 
his  yarns,  took  his  sewing-board  in  his  hand,  and 
laid  hold  deliberately  of  the  top-gallant  rigging,  and 
had  only  taken  one  foot  from  the  yard,  and  was  just 
lifting  the  other,  when  the  tie.  parted,  and  down  the 
yard  fell. 

One  instant  longer,  or  if  the  tie  had  parted  but 
an  instant  sooner,  he  would  have  been  thrown  from 
a  height  of  ninety  or  a  hundred  feet  overboard, 
or  perhaps  on  deck,  which  must  have  been  instant 
death.  But  he  was  safe,  as  a  good  providence 
would  have  it,  by  his  hold  upon  the  rigging,  though 

19  PB.  xiv.  i. 


304  A   KEEL   IN   A    BOTTLE, 

it  made  his  heart  beat  quick,  for  he  felt  his  danger. 
A  true  King's  seaman  will  never  make  a  joke  of  such 
narrow  escapes,  for  he  knows  that  often  there  is  but 
a  step  between  him  and  death,80  and  that  it  is  only 
God's  loving  care  that  keeps  him. 

Upward  I  lift  mine  eyes 

From  God  is  all  my  aid ; — 

The  God  who  built  the  skies, 

And  earth  and  nature  made : 

God  is  the  Towerto  which  I  fly? 

His  grace  is  nigh  In  ev'ry  hour. 

My  feet  shall  never  slide 

And  fall  in  fatal  snares 

Since  God  my  guard  and  guide, 

Defends  me  from  my  fears. 
Those  wakeful  eyes  That  never  sleep, 
Shall  Israel  keep  When  dangers  rise. 
No  burning  heats  by  day, 

Nor  blasts  of  evening  air, 

Shall  take  my  health  away, 

If  God  be  with  me  there : 
Thou  art  my  sun,  And  thou  my  shade, 
To  guard  my  head,  By  night  or  noon. 

10 1  Sam.  rx.  3. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

CAPTAIN   GOOD-ENOUGH   AND   HIS   CAEGO. 

Now  in  the  midst  of  all  this  lovely  weather  and 
scenery,  a  ship  one  day  hove  in  sight  towards  even- 
ing, and  as  they  saw  her  against  the  horizon,  which 
was  now  naming  with  light,  it  seemed  as  though  she 
were  on  fire  with  a  blaze  of  glory,  and  they  even 
doubted,  sometimes,  if  she  were  not  floating  in  the 
heavens.  But  after  watching  her  for  awhile,  it  was 
evident  they  were  gaining  on  her,  and  at  length  by 
the  glass  they  could  pretty  clearly  not  only  distin- 
guish her  flag,  which  was  the  King's  flag,  but  also 
were  enabled  to  make  out  the  sign  on  her  stern, 
which  was  neither  more  nor  less  than  GOOD  WORKS 
from  the  Town  of  SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS.  At  this  dis- 
covery they  were  quite  in  a  maze,  but  Peter  observed 
at  length,  Good  Works,  good  works  !  Tis  a  good 
sign,  if  well  used,  according  to  faith  and  godliness  ; 
but  that  Town  I  know  of  old,  as  a  place  that  hath 


306  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

bred  many  distempers  against  the  King  and  his  ordi- 
nances. It  is  a  place,  where  they  will  not  so  much 
as  admit  the  right  of  the  Xing  to  save  them  on  his 
own  account,  and  even  when  the  King's  recruiting 
officer  is  asking  for  seamen,  they  have  been  known  to 
maintain  a  quarrel  among  themselves,  whether  it  was 
they  that  offered  first  to  go,  or  he  that  called  them. 

Moreover,  all  the  merchants  and  shipbuilders  of 
that  place  enter  into  an  imaginary  running  balance  with 
the  King,  of  debt  and  credit,  maintaining  that  they 
have  capital  of  their  own,  for  the  possession  and  use 
of  which  the  King  is  bound  to  allow  an  original 
claim  upon  him  for  salvage.  So  they  come  into  his 
books  (that  is,  as  they  say)  half  by  right,  half  by 
mercy,  and  all  that  they  carry,  or  make,  on  any  voy- 
age, they  put  down  to  their  own  credit  first,  to  the 
King's  afterwards ;  and  they  are  very  jealous  of  leav- 
ing anything  to  him,  but  always  want  a  mortgage 
executed  on  their  own  virtues,  never  admitting  them- 
selves to  be  bankrupt. 

JOHN. — But  will  the  King  have  anything  to  do 
with  such  persons,  or  does  he  ever  save  by  halves? 

PETER. — Oh,  they  think  so.  And  besides  they 
seem  to  think  that  they  do  honor  to  the  King  in  en- 
tering into  such  a  partnership,  and  keeping  the  firm 
under  his  name. 

JOHN. — "Well,  the  son  of  the  bond-woman  shall  not 


FOE  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          307 

be  heir  with  the  son  of  the  free-woman.1  If  they  are 
of  the  Law,  they  cannot  be  of  the  King;  and  this 
would  I  learn  in  regard  to  them,  whether  they  re- 
ceived the  Spirit  by  the  works  of  the  law,  or  by  the 
hearing  of  faith.8 

PETER. — I  much  fear  they  have  never  received  the 
Spirit  at  all,  for  the  Spirit  would  lead  to  faith  and  love, 
and  a  hearty  submission  of  all  things  to  •  the  King, 
especially  renouncing  their  own  boasted  righteousness. 
Good  works  are  good  things  for  necessary  uses,3  and 
to  prove  the  truth  and  goodness  of  one's  faith,  and 
there  can  be  no  true  faith  without  them ;  but  if  good 
works  are  put  first,  and  are  built  upon  for  salvation, 
it  is  just  as  if  you  should  plant  a  tree  with  the 
branches  downwards,  and  the  roots  sticking  up  and 
abroad  in  the  air.  For  it  is  nothing  but  Christ  and 
his  love,  and  faith  in  him,  that  can  produce  good 
works,  according  to  that  he  hath  told  us,  Abide  in 
me,  and  I  in  you.  As  the  branch  cannot  bear  fruit 
of  itself,  except  it  abide  in  the  vine,  no  more  can  ye, 
except  ye  abide  in  me.4  Moreover,  the  very  faith 
that  produces  the  good  works  is  also  the  gift  of  God, 
so  that  there  can  be  no  boasting,  but  it  is  forever 
excluded,  and  all  is  of  God's  undeserved  mercy.5 

JOHN. — "Well,  let  us  speak  the  ship,  and  we  can 

1  Gal.  iv.  30.  *  Gal.  iii.  2.  *  Titus  iii-  14. 

4  John  xv.  4.  6  Eph.  ii  8. 


308  A  EEEL   IN   A  BOTTLE, 

soon  tell  what  her  hope  is,  and  how  far  she  answers 
to  her  title.  She  maketh  a  fair  show  at  any  rate. 

Now  at  length  they  come  within  hailing  distance 
of  the  stranger,  and  forthwith  she  made  her  course 
known  as  for  the  Celestial  Country,  and  the  Captain 
courteously  invited  Peter  and  John  to  come  on  board, 
Thereupon  they  determined  to  do  so ;  and  there  be- 
ing a  light  breeze  and  a  smooth  sea,  the  two  ships 
meanwhile  kept  an  easy  course  nearly  alongside. 

On  coming  aboard,  they  found  the  captain  of  the 
ship  was  named  Captain  Goodenough,  and  they 
found  him  a  very  polite  and  gentlemanly  man,  so 
long  as  they  gave  in  to  his  pretensions.  The  men  in 
the  forecastle  called  him  by  a  nick-name,  Old  Climb- 
up,  from  a  habit  which  he  had  while  a  sailor,  of 
going  up  the  masts  by  the  long  rigging,  instead 
of  the  shrouds,  and  always  coming  down  by  the 
run. 

They  found  also  that  though  the  King's  flag  was 
hoisted,  yet  the  Captain  had  no  commission  from  the 
King,  nor  had  ever  applied  for  one,  but  that  the  ship 
had  been  sent  out  as  a  private  adventure,  with  a 
cargo,  which  they  relied  upon  for  acceptance  in  the 
Celestial  Country.  So  Peter  and  John  desired  to 
look  at  the  cargo,  and  accordingly,  Captain  Good- 
enough  opened  the  hatches,  and  took  great  pleasure 
i  showing  many  of  the  parcels,  which  were  easy  to 


FOR  JACK   IN   THE  DOLDBUMS. 

be  come  at,  there  being  no  heavy  or  lumbering 
articles,  except  what  had  been  thrown  in  for  ballast. 

The  first  goods  he  showed  were  a  set  of  boxes, 
carefully  marked  and  arranged,  such  as  Natural- 
Affection  —  Good-Nature  —  Kindness-to-the-Poor  — 
Public-Spirit — Patriotism — Obedience-to-Law — Good- 
Morals — a  great  assortment  and  variety  of  things, 
held  in  much  esteem  in  the  town  of  Self-Righteous- 
ness. There  were  likewise  along  with  these,  certain 
parcels  of  Sweet-Temper,  Prudence,  No-Harm,  Good- 
Neighborship,  Punctuality,  and  other  like  things. 

PETER. — These  are  all  good  in  their  place,  re- 
marked Peter,  but  you  do  not  expect  to  present 
these  things  for  sale  at  the  gates  of  heaven,  do 
you? 

CAPT. — And  why  not  ?  said  the  Captain.  People 
that  possess  these  commodities  must  of  necessity  be 
proved  by  them  to  have  been  too  good  to  be  shut  out 
of  heaven.  "Where  can  they  go?  People  that  are 
such  good  citizens  and  neighbors,  such  kind  parents 
and  friends,  so  honest  and  upright,  so  strict  in  the 
payment  of  their  debts,  certainly  cannot  be  sent  to 
hell. 

PETER. — But  are  those  the  terms  on  which  heaven 
is  promised  ?  Did  ever  the  King  of  the  Celestial 
Country  make  any  such  proclamation,  as  that  honesty 
to  man  would  be  accepted  in  heaven  instead  of  love 


310  A   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE. 

to  God  and  faith  in  the  Saviour.  Moreover,  that 
which  is  highly  esteemed  among  men  is  abomination 
in  the  sight  of  God,  for  he  looketh  on  the  heart,  and 
he  says,  Ye  are  they  that  justify  yourselves  before 
men,  but  God  knoweth  your  hearts.5  There  may  be 
all  these  virtues  in  a  man's  life,  and  yet  in  his  heart 
he  may  have  neither  love  to  God,  nor  faith  in  his 
Redeemer,  but  a  great  opposition  to  both.  But  let  us 
go  a  little  further. 

In  the  next  lot  of  boxes  which  they  overhauled, 
they  noticed  some  that  were  marked  on  the  top,  Tliis 
side  up,  with  care  /  which  made  them  rather  curious 
in  their  inspection,  and  they  found  that  underneath 
they  bore  a  very  different  appearance,  as  for  example, 
a  box  marked  GENEROSITY,  This  side  up,  was  found 
to  have  three  private  marks  underneath,  Love  of  Ap- 
plause, Ostentation,  Pride.  A  box  marked  Industry 
and  Frugality,  was  privately  inscribed  Covetousness, 
and  a  box  marked  Gratitude,  had,  underneath,  the 
words  Self-Congratulation  and  Joy.  A  parcel  marked 
on  the  top  Self-Denial,  This  side  up,  with  care,  was 
found  underneath  to  be  Self-Seeking.  A  bundle  de- 
scribed as  Much  Prayer,  was  written  underneath,  To 
be  seen  of  Men,  and  a  package  done  up  as  Integrity, 
was  written  underneath,  In  the  fear  of  Man. 

'  Luke  xvi.  15. 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         311 

These  things  made  Peter  and  Johii  remeruLer  the 
King's  "Words,  All  their  works  they  do  to  be  seen  of 
men.6  But  when  they  attempted  to  ask  Captain 
Goodenough  about  them,  it  made  him  angry,  and  he 
said  hastily  that  the  goods  had  the  mark  of  their 
owners  upon  them,  and  he  knew  no  other  ;  but  they 
were  as  good  as  bullion. 

Then  they  continued  their  examination  only  a  little 
longer,  but  found  no  small  part  of  the  cargo  to  be 
occupied  with  Rudiments  of  the  "World,  Ordinances, 
Circumcisions,  Baptisms,  Commandments  and  Doc- 
trines of  men,  and  divers  boxes  of  weak  and  beggarly 
elements,7  among  which  was  a  great  box  marked 
Apostolical  Successions,  and  another,  Sacramental 
and  Ceremonial  Regenerations.  These  things  they 
had  not  expected  to  find,  and  indeed  Captain  Good- 
Enough  said  they  did  not  belong  to  the  regular  cargo, 
but  were  put  in,  or  ordered  aboard,  at  some  of  the 
Only-True-Church  Insurance  Offices  in  the  Town  of 
Self-Righteousness,  for  the  sake  of  the  underwriters. 
As  to  the  whole  contents  of  the  Ship,  the  Captain  re- 
marked that  it  was  one  of  the  best  assortment  of  goods 
that  had  ever  gone  out  ot  the  harbor. 

Then  said  Peter,  Captain  Goodenough,  I  would  not 
give  a  single  barrel  of  the  King's  salt,  or  a  junk  of  our 
beef,  for  your  whole  cargo.     If  those  that  loaded  this 
8  Matt,  xxiii.  5.  '  Gal.  iv  9. 


312  A   EEEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

ship  intended  to  condemn  her  before-hand  with  the 
King,  they  could  not  have  taken  a  surer  way.  You 
will  have  to  cast  your  whole  cargo  overboard,  and 
throw  ^  ourself,  thus  emptied,  on  the  King's  mercy,  or 
yDii  will  be  lost.  This  trumpery  is  worse,  compared 
with  the  gold,  silver,  and  precious  stones  of  the  gos- 
pel, than  wood,  hay,  and  stubble. 

Then  said  the  Captain,  all  things  are  not  measured 
by  your  standard,  thank  God.  "We  have  something 
else  besides  fanatical  notions  of  faith  to  go  by.  You 
have  put  down  human  nature  long  enough,  and  it  is 
high  time  that  virtue  as  is  virtue  should  be  acknow- 
ledged, and  a  man  should  know  his  dignity. 

Well,  said  Peter,  if  you  will  do  it,  take  your  own 
risk,  but  we  have  delivered  our  souls.  Beheld,  we 
tell  you  by  the  word  of  God,  that  if  you  trust  in  these 
things,  Christ  shall  profit  you  nothing.  Christ  is 
become  of  none  eifect  unto  you,  whosoever  of  you  are 
justified  by  the  law ;  ye  are  fallen  from  grace  ;8  yea, 
ye  make  the  grace  of  God  in  vain,'  with  your  hold 
full  of  such  bundles  of  self-righteousness.  You  make 
your  pretended  good  works  your  saviour,  and  yet 
profess  to  sail  under  the  King's  own  flag.  Don't  you 
see  that  this  is  adding  hypocrisy  to  pride  and  self- 
delusion?  But  it  cannot  prosper,  for  the  bed  is 
shorter  than  that  a  man  can  stretch  himself  upon  it 

8  Gal.  v.  4.  •  Gal.  ii.  21. 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDBUMS.         313 

the  covering  is  narrower  than  that  any  man  can 
wrap  himself  up  in  it.10 

"Well,  said  the  Captain,  be  that  as  it  may,  I  cannot 
think  that  all  the  men  in  our  town  were  mistaken, 
some  of  them  the  most  respectable  and  wisest  mer- 
chants in  the  whole  country.  I  think  a  man  is  tolera- 
bly safe  in  such  company.  And  'tis  not  at  all  likely 
that  all  their  great  pains  in  such  a  cargo  should  be 
lost.  There  may  be  defects,  as  will  happen  with  the 
best ;  but  upon  the  whole,  they  can't  but  be  accepted? 
for  God  is  merciful. 

God  is  merciful  indeed,  cried  John,  so  merciful, 
that  he  gave  his  Son  to  die  for  sinners."  But  did  he 
ever  tell  you,  or  any  man  in  your  town,  that  having 
done  this,  he  would  save  a  man  for  his  cargo,  or 
that  any  man  could  buy  heaven  with  his  cargo,  or 
that  any  man  could  rely  upon  his  cargo  for  acceptance 
and  salvation,  or  indeed  that  he  would  ever  save  any 
man  in  any  way  but  by  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ, 
that  cleanseth  from  all  sin  ?ia  Is  there  any  other  way 
but  faith  in  Christ?  And  as  to  a  man's  company, 
wras  Lot  safe  in  Sodom  ?  They  were  very  respectable 
people  in  Sodom,  in  their  way,  with  one  another  ;  and 
your  standard,  just  like  theirs,  is  one  another's  exam- 
ple, and  not  God's  word. 

CAPT. — But  a  good  man  is  a  good  man,  and  good 

10  Isa.  xxviii.  20.  "  John  iii.  16.      *        "1  John  i.  7. 

U  -C* 


JP  A    KEEL    IN  A  BUTTLE, 

works  are  good  works ;  and  what  is  to  be  done  with 
them  ? 

JOHN. — Done  with  them  ?  I  tell  you  they  shall  all 
be  burned  up ;  for  your  very  thinking  that  they  are 
good,  without  Christ,  proves  them  to  be  wood,  hay, 
and  stubble.13  There  is  none  good  but  One.14  They 
are  altogether  become  evil ;  there  is  none  that  doeth 
good,  no,  not  one."  And  as  to  their  works,  where 
did  they  come  from?  Out  of  what  heart?  Who 
produced  them  ?  What  motives  ?  Was  there  any 
love  to  God  ?  Did  they  not  put  the  whole  cargo 
together  for  a  bargain?  Did  they  not  think  they 
were  going  to  purchase  heaven  at  a  price,  instead  of 
having  it  as  God's  free  gift  to  lost  sinners  for  Cl^fct's 
sake  ?  So !  is  there  any  thing  but  selfishnesiTon 
board  ?  I  tell  you  there  are  no  good  works,  but  in 
Christ.  Christ's  love,  and  a  humble  faith  in  him, 
with  repentance  toward  Ged,  must  be  at  the  bottom 
of  them,  or  else  they  are  only  works  of  the  flesh  in 
some  shape  or  another,  altogether. 

CAPT. — "Well,  well,  but  after  all  I  cannot  and  will 
not  believe  that  any  man  will  ever  be  lost,  who  does 
as  well  as  he  can. 

JOIFN. — As  well  as  he  can  !  cried  John.  But  what 
sinner  ever  did,  or  ever  dore,  or  ever  will  do,  as  well 

"  \  Cor.  iii.  13.  "  Matt.  xix.  17.  '*  Ps.  liii.  3. 


FOB  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDKUMS.         315 

as  he   can  ?     Besides,  what  is  to  be  done  with  the 
old  score  ?     How  is  a  man  to  dispose  of  old  sins  ? 

CAPT. — But  what  if  a  man's  heart  acquits  him  of 
any  evil  intention  ?  As  long  as  my  own  heart  does 
not  condemn  me,  I  am  sure  I  am  safe. 

Jom*. — Now  my  friend,  said  John,  let  me  put  a 
case.  lie  that  trusteth  in  his  own  heart  i«  a  fool.18 
Suppose  that  in  a  storm,  when  the  safety  of  the  ship 
requires  a  sure  anchorage,  and  all  hands  have  got 
hold  of  the  anchor  to  drop  it,  a  sudden  insanity  should 
come  upon  the  captain  and  crew,  and  instead  of 
dropping  it  into  the  sea,  they  should  warp  it  over  the 
hatchway,  and  drop  it  down  plump  into  the  hold, 
imagining  that  there  they  had  got  a  safe  anchorage ! 
Would  that  imagination  secure  them?  Or  would  the 
sincerity  of  that  mistake  save  them  from  destruction  ? 
Would  their  insanity  preserve  the  ship  from  driving  ? 
Would  the  anchor  in  the  hold  keep  her  from  striking 
on  the  rocks  ?  Now  your  reliance  on  the  cargo  of 
virtues  in  your  hold  is  just  like  casting  anchor 
down  the  hatchway.  It  is  all  a  perfect  delusion  of 
Satan. 

CAPT. — Well,  but  after  all,  a  man  can  do  no  better 
than  he  can.  No  man  ever  heard  me  swear.  I  n over- 
take a  drop  too  much.  I  always  pay  my  men  regu- 
larly, and  treat  them  well.  I  endeavor  to  walk  by 

"Prov.  xxviii.  26. 


A    REEL    IN    A   BOTTLE, 

the  golden  rule,  and  do  to  others  just  as  I  would 
have  others  do  to  ine.1"  What  would  you  have 
more? 

JOHN. — Captain'  Good -enough,  you  make  me 
ashamed  for  your  ignorance.  The  most  uninformed 
Sailor,  that  ever  pulled  a  rope  on  board  the  King's 
ship,  could  teach  you  better.  You  can't  deny  that 
you  are  a  sinner.  I  say  then,  again,  what  are  you 
going  to  do  with  the  burden  of  your  sins  ?  How  will 
you  have  them  pardoned  ?  Let  me  tell  you  what  a 
poor  converted  sailor  once  said  to  a  messmate  about 
faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus.  I  don't  know,  said  he,  that 
I  can  tell  you  wiat  it  is,  or  how  to  get  it.  But  I  can 
tell  you  what  it  is  not.  It  is  not  knocking  off  swear- 
ing and  drinking,  and  such  like  ;  and  it  is  not  reading 
the  Bible,  nor  praying,  nor  being  good.  It  is  none 
of  these ;  for  even  if  they  would  answer  for  the  time 
to  come,  there  is  the  old  score  still,  and  how  are  you 
to  get  clear  of  that  ?  It  is  not  anything  you  have 
done,  or  can  do  ;  it  is  only  believing,  and  trusting  to 
what  Christ  has  done.  It  is  forsaking  your  sins,  and 
looking  for  their  pardon,  and  the  salvation  of  your 
soul,  because  he  died  and  shed  his  blood  for  sin  ;  and 
it  is  nothing  else.  That  sir,  is  a  poor  converted 
sailor's  definition  of  faith,  for  he  was  taught  by  the 
Spirit  of  God,  and  knew  what  he  knew  from  God's 

"Matt.  vii.  12. 


a 
FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         317 

•    m> 

Word  and  from  experience.  And  just  that  faith 
you  mnst  have,  that  humble  reliance  on  Christ,  or 
you  will  die  in  your  sins,  and  must  be  lost  for  ever. 

Now  while  these  words  were  speaking,  a  number 
of  the  crew  had  gathered  within  ear-shot,  and  Cap- 
tain Good-enough,  lifting  up  his  eyes,  saw  them  in- 
tently listening.  Then  did  the  devil,  by  means  of 
the  man's  pride,  take  away  the  good  seed  that  John 
was  trying  to  sow  in  his  heart  ;  for  he  turned  and 
said,  If  I  were  a  poor  drunken  sailor,  or  any  of  my 
men,  then  might  such  a  religion  be  good  for  us  ;  but 
we  be  all  good  moral  men,  from  the  high  and  mighty 

town  of  SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS,  and  we  will  not  belie 

* 
the  credit  of  our  birth-place,  for  'tis  an  ill  bird  that 

betrays  its  own  nest. 

Then  did  John  groan  within  himself,  and  said,  If 
our  gospel  be  hid,  it  is  hid  to  them  that  are  lost,  in 
whom  the  God  of  this  world  hath  blinded  the  minds 
of  them  that  believe  not,  lest  the  light  of  the  glorious 
gospel  of  Christ,  who  is  the  image  of  God,  should 
shine  unto  them." 

But  Captain  Good-enough  was  not  moved  at  all  ;  so 
when  they  agreed  not  among  themselves,  they  de- 
parted, after  that  Peter  had  spoken  one  word,  Well 
spake  the  Holy  Ghost  by  Esaias  the  prophet  unto  our 
fathers,  saying,  Go  unto  this  people  and  say,  Hearing 


17  2  Cor.  IT.  3,4. 

' 


318 


A    REEL   IX    A    EOTTLF., 


ye  shall  hear,  and  shall  not  understand;  and  seeing 
ye  shall  see,  and  shall  not  perceive  ;  for  the  heart  of 
this  people  is  waxed  gross,  and  their  ears  are  dull  of 
hearing,  and  their  eyes  have  they  closed  ;  lest  they 
should  jsee  with  their  eyes,  and  hear  with  their  ears, 
and  understand  with  their  heart,  and  should  be  con- 
verted and  I  should  heal  them.18 

However,  they  departed  not  alone,  nor  without 
consolation  ;  for  one  of  the  men,  whose  heart  the 
Lord  opened,  that  he  attended  to  the  things  spoken19 
of  Peter  and  John,  begged  so  hard  to  go  with  them, 
and  enlist  in  the  King's  ship,  that  having  got  Captain 
Qoodenough's  consent,  which  he  was  ashamed  to 
refuse,  after  all  that  he  had  said,  although  very  much 
mortified,  they  took  the  man  with  them,  and  gave 
him  a  place  with  their  own  crew,  who  received  him 
joyfully.  The  man's  name,  aforetime,  was  Better- 
Late-than-Xever,  which  now  they  changed,  and  en- 
tered him  on  the  King's  books,  after  much  affection- 
ate catechising  and  instructing  of  him,  as  Lost-but- 
round.  He  speedily  proved  as  apt  and  good  a  sea- 
man as  the  best  of  them,  and  he  had  a  great  many 
curious  and  interesting  things  to  tell  of  his  former 
experience  aboard  the  Good  Works,  and.  in  the 
famous  town  of  Self-Righteousness. 


"Matt.  xiii.  14,15. 


"Acts  xvi.  14. 


FOR  JACK  IX  THE  DOLDRUMS.          319 

*  '    •£. 

It  was  already  night-fall  upon  the  deck,  when  they 
reached  their  own  ship,  and  they  soon  lost  sight  of 
the  GOOD  WORKS  in  the  darkness,  though  they  thought 
they  should  see  her  again  the  next  morning.  Bnt 
when  the  day  broke  she  was  no  where  visible,  nor 
did  they  ever  see^r  hear  of  her  from  that  time.  It  <-•" 
was  a  solemn  thing  to  have  seen  such  obstinate 
blindness,  and  they  all  felt  that  it  wai-lhly  the  Lord's 
wonderful  mercy,  that  had  kept  them  from  just  si&h 
fatal  delusion,  or  had  plucked  one  soul  as  a  brand  * 
from  the  burning.  In  the  evening  watch  that  day 
they  sang  a  hymn  expressive  of  the  danger: 


There  is  a  way  that  .->eemeth  right, 

The  steps  go  on  with  ease ; 
And  conscience  slumbers,  while  the  soul 
Forsakes  the  path  of  peace. 


A  way  that  lulls  the  careless  heart, 
There's  death  upon  the  air : 

The  soul  that  sleepeth  wakes  at  length 
In  anguish  and  despair. 

There  is  a  way  that  leads  to  death. 

God  hath  the  warning  given; 
And  multitudes  pursue  that  way, 

Still  dreaming  on  of  heaven. 


320 


A    REEL    IN    A    BOTTLE, 

Then  let  me  tremble  at  the  Word 
That  shows  this  danger  nigh 

And  wake,  and  pray,  and  keep  the  path 
That  leads  to  joys  on  high. 

For  God  will  teach  the  contrite  mind 

The  way  of  death  to  shun ; 
He  ne'er  will  leave  a  praying  soij 

Bv  sin  to  be  undone. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

* 

NONE   BUT   CHKTST  !     NONE   BUT   CHRIST  1 

WELL,  my  brother,  said  John  the  next  daj  to 
Peter,  as  they  were  gazing  towards  the  quarter 
whither  their  course  lay,  and  watching  the  bright 
appearances  that  began  from  time  to  time  to  fill  the 
horizon  ;  this  trusting  in  Christ  is  a  deeper  business 
tli an  most  men  imagine,  and  I  begin  to  think  that  a 
great  multitude  have  but  very  superficial  ideas 
about  it. 

Deep  ?  answered  Peter,  It  goes  to  the  very  inmost 
being  of  a  man's  soul,  and  carries  everything  before 
it ;  pride,  self-righteousness,  self-dependence,  all  a 
man's  peculiar  property  it  carries  away.  It  brings 
down  all  high  looks,  and  vain  imaginations,  and 
everything  that  exalteth  itself  against  God,  and 
brings  every  soul  into  captivity  to  the  love  of  Christ.1 

1  2  Cor.  x  5. 


322  A    RE  FL   IN    A   BOTTLE, 

*       ^*^ 

It  is  stronger  than  the  strong  man  armed,  and  taketh 
from  him  all  his  castle,  and  his  goods  wherein  he 
i  trusted.2  It  leaves  him  nothing  that  he  can  call  his 
own,  and  what  is  better,  leaves  him  willing  to  be 
stripped  of  everything,  willing  to  owe  everything  to 


•»- 

Joux. — But  some  are  not  so,  but  seem  very  unwill- 
ing to  owe  all  to  Christ,  always  keeping  back  part 
of  the  price,  as  it  were,  some  foundation  of  self-trust 

or  self-merit. 

I 
PETER. — Yes,  and  they  that  will   have  but  half  a 

Sjvfour,  are  most  likely  to  have  none  at  all.  He 
must  l>e  everything  or  nothing.  There  cannot  be  in 
one  and  the  same  vessel  such  a  cargo  as  Captain 
Goodenough's,  and  faith  in  Christ  accompanying  it. 

JOHN. — Faith  !  There  was  not  even  the  conception 
of  it.  The  man  evidently  did  not  know  what  it 
means,  and  to  say  the  truth,  of  the  nature  of  good 
works  he  had  no  better  imagination,  notwithstanding 
the  name  of  his  vessel,  and  his  own  name. 

"*PETER. — Did  you  ever  hear  or  know  of  a  more 
obstinate  case  2  But  there  is  never  in  all  the  world 
such  blindness  as  that  which  seals  the  heart  against 
Christ  and  his  glory.  And  it  holds  on,  sometimes, 
even  till  death,  the  man  all  the  while  feeling  sure  of 
salvation,  till  he  marches  up  to  the  door,  and  hears 

d.  22. 


•  •**   -  *\ 

'  *  • 

FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         323 

the  terrible  voice  of  the  King  from  within,  saying, 
Depart  from  me,  I  never  knew  you.3 

JOHN. — This  is  a  great  wonder  of  sin,  this  blind- 
ness, but  a  greater  wonder  it  is  that  any  ever  see  ;  a 
wonder  of  grace,   when  it  pleases  God  to  shine  into     ^fe 
the  heart,  to  give  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the 
glory  of  God  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ.4  » 

PETER. — True,  most  true  is  this,  but  men  are  very 
slow  to  learn,  even  when  they  have  begun  to  learn  ; 
they  often  stop  with  the  milk  for  babes,  instead  of 
pressing  on  to  perfection.  Sometimes  they  learn  this 
mystery  soon,  sometimes  not  till  very  late,  always 
only  by  the  Spirit.  Nothing  else  can  teach  it,  and 
God's  Divine  Providence  sometimes  seems  employed 
in  vain  upon  men  for  years,  without  bringing  them 
to  it.  I  call  to  mind  the  case  of  a  man  of  God,  who 
was  one  of  the  King's  ministers,  or  thought  he  was,  a 
long  time,  without  having  seen  this  light.  But  one 
day  he  went  to  visit  a  woman  of  very  great  and  true 
humility  and  piety,  whose  life  everybody  felt  was 
that  of  one  of  the  King's  dear  disciples,  but  who  Tgas 
then  dangerously  sick.  "Well,  he  set  himself  in  bis 
ignorance  to  endeavor  to  prepare  her  for  death,  and 
so  he  said  to  her,  I  doubt  not  but  you  will  die  calm 
and  happy.  But  how  so,  and  wherefore  ?  asked  the 
sick  woman.  Because,  said  the  poor  ignoran£  man, 

'Matt.  vii.  23.  "2  Cor.  iv.  6. 


?-•     * 

324  A   REEL   IN   A   BOTTLE, 

your  life  has  all  been  made  up  of  a  series  of  good 
works. 

Oh  what  a  stab  of  Satan  was  that!  Then  did  the 
sick  woman  groan  in  spirit  at  the  thought  of  her  own 
un worthiness,  and  she  sighed  deeply,  and  turned  her 
face  towards  the  man,  and  answered  him  thus  :  If  I 
die  confiding  in  the  good  works  that  you  have  called 
to  my  recollection,  I  know  for  certain  that  I  shall  be 
condemned  and  lost  for  ever ;  but  what  renders  me 
calm  at  this  solemn  hour  is  that  I  trust  solely  in  Jesus 
Christ  my  Saviour. 

Now  this  was  what  the  minister  himself  had  never 
yet  done,  what  he  knew  nothing  about,  though  he 
was  thought  to  be  a  very  holy  man,  and  had  been 
piling  up  his  good  works  for  years,  to  be  accepted  of 
God  as  his  Saviour!  But  just  think  of  the  marvel- 
lous mercy  of  the  Lord,  and  the  many  ways  and 
means,  and  sometimes  very  despised  and  insignificant 
instruments,  that  he  makes  use  of  for  his  own  glory, 
and  to  bring  souls  to  the  knowledge  of  it.  From  that 
time  forth  the  man  began  to  seek  after  Christ  and  his 
righteousness,  and  he  soon  found  him,  and  preached 
him,  lifting  up  Christ  and  his  cross  and  his  love  and 
simple  faith  in  him,  and  no  more  good  works  as  the 
soul's  saviour.  And  he  afterwards  said,  when  he 
told  this  history  of  the  Lord's  saving  mercy  to  his 
own  soul,  that  those  few  words  from  the  mouth  of  a 


* ' 

FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          325 

dying  woman  who  was  reputed  a  saint,  and  who  he 
thought  was  going  to  glory  on  her  good  works, opened 
his  own  eyes  for  the  very  first  time.  If  that  woman 
could  not  be  saved  by  her  good  works,  then  he  was 
•4p  sure  that  he  could  not  by  his.  And  now  he  began  to 
find  out  Christ,  and  from  the  time  thaflt  he  trusted  in 
him,  he  preached  him  to  others,  so  that  many  others 
found  him,  who  had  before  been  in  darkness. 

JOHN. — "Well,  that  was  great  mercy  indeed,  great 
grace.  And  sometimes  those  that  struggle  so  long  in 
the  dark  without  ever  finding  Christ,  love  him  better 
than  others,  arid  see  him  more  clearly,  and  keep  to  him 
more  closely,  and  talk  about  him  more  warmly,  than 
those  that  knew  him  from  the  outset.  Oh,  the  bless- 
ings that  cost  the  most  we  always  prize  the  most. 
There  is  nothing  like  having  to  go  through  storms  to 
make  a  harbor  precious.  When  a  soul  has  been 
almost  shipwrecked  forty  times,  yea,  has  been  every 
day  going  down  into  darkness  and  the  deeps,  then  to 
come  at  once  into  a  fair,  safe  haven,  with  the  sky 
clear,  and  the  sea  as  gentle  as  a  baby,  and  the  green 
and  fragrant  land  all  locking  you  about,  Oh,  then  the 
land  is  sweeter  than  it  ever  was  before.  You  think 
you  will  never  go  to  sea  again,  except  under  the 
King's  commission.  Yet  perhaps  the  very  next 
voyage  that  oners,  you'll  be  sorely  tempted.  But 

*      * 


326  A    KEEL    IN    A    BOTTLE. 

what  seaman  was  it  that  made  that  hymn  ill  the  dog- 
watch, for  the  King's  honor  2 

In  form  T  long  had  bowed  my  knee, 
Bui  naught  attractive  then  could  see 
To  win  my  wayward  heart  to  Thee, 
My  Saviour! 

Yet,  though  I  had  so  long  withstood, 
Thou  diJst  redeem  my  soul  with  blood, 
And  Thou  hast  brought  me  nigh  to  God, 
My  Saviour! 

Through  storms  and  waves  of  conflict  past, 
Thy  potent  arm  has  held  me  fast, 
And  Thou  will  save  me  to  the  last, 
My  Saviour ! 

And  when  the  voyage  of  life  is  o'er, 
I  hope  to  gain  the  heavenly  shore, 
And  never  grieve  thy  goodness  more 
My  Saviour ! 

PETER. — 'Tis  a  sweet  hymn,  and  whoever  it  was 
that  wrote  it,  must  have  had  a  happy  time,  even  in 
his  dog-watches,  for  the  presence  and  smiles  of  the 
King  can  make  any  place  comfortable.  But  a  man 
is  never  happy,  who  is  not  happy  in  his  mind. 
There's  Captain  Good -enough,  with  all  his  cargo,  and 
all  his  certainty  of  finding  a  market  for  his  wares,  in 
the  Celestial  Country  ;  do  you  suppose  he  is  always 
at  ease  ? 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          327 

JOHN. — Wh y  truly,  I  know  not ;  but  there  are 
some  men,  whose  strength  is  so  firm,  that  they  have 
no  bands  even  in  their  death,  no  terrors,  no  plagues, 
no  troubles,  as  other  men.5  Yet  are  they  none  the 
happier  for  that.  For  a  man  had  better  be  in  trouble 
and  in  terror  all  his  days,  than  die  in  his  sins.  BuJ 
I  marvel  that  so  much  good  and  evil  could  be  mixed 
together  in  the  Captain's  cargo.  If  Satan  himself 
should  sift  it,  he  could  not  have  it  all. 

PETER. — Well,  I  don't  know  about  that.  You 
would  have  to  judge  the  heart  about  that,  and  God 
only  can  do  it.  But  there  was  nothing  good,  unless 
there  was  good  behind  it,  unless  it  came  from  good, 
and  was  put  into  the  ship  for  good ;  and  I  doubt 
whether  anything  was  put  there,  but  just  to  make  a 
trade  for  heaven.  Xow  there  be  men  that  are  always 
seeking  self  in  all  things,  and  your  self-righteous  men 
are  of  this  stamp,  for  they  do  every  thing  either  to  be 
seen  of  men,  or  else  to  bribe  God,  but  nothing  out  of 
love.  But  a  man's  very  virtues  are  turned  into  vices, 
if  they  grow  out  of  self,  if  he  has  no  view  but  self- 
advancement  in  them.  They  are  rotten,  and  it  is 
abominable  hypocrisy  for  him  to  offer  them  as  virtues 
in  any  market,  knowing  as  he  does,  that  he  would 
not  have  had  them  in  his  hold  at  all,  but  for  selfish 
purposes.  He  never  put  them  there  because  the 

5  Ps.  Ixxiii  4,  5. 


328  A    REEF.   IN   A   BOTTLE. 

King  commanded  it,  nor  out  of  regard  to  his  master, 
but  just  to  drive  a  bargain  with  them. 

Even  that  nice-looking  box  on  board  Captain  Good- 
enough's  ship,  that  was  marked  Kindness-to-the-Poor, 
and  that  ought  to  have  been  fresh  and  genuine,  if  any 
thing  was,  you  would  have  found,  if  you  could  have 
opened  it,  either  to  have  contained  some  smuggled 
contraband  article  from  the  town  of  Self-Righteousness, 
or  else  as  full  of  worms  as  ever  a  box  of  figs  or  re- 
mainder biscuit  after  a  long  voyage. 

As  a  man  thinketh  in  his  heart,  so  is  he."  The 
intention  and  the  purpose  are  everything,  and  a  man 
may  be  intending  to  make  a  wrong  use  even  of  his 
virtues,  and  if  so,  then  they  are  condemned  and 
broken.  You  know  a  ship  may  be  a  good  ship,  but 
suppose  it  be  discovered  that  she  was  built  as  a  slaver, 
and  is  engaged  in  slaving,  why  then  she  is  taken  as  a 
pirate.  There  are  some  things  that  are  lawful,  like 
the  law  itself,  if  a  man  use  them  lawfully,7  but  if  he 
put  them  in  the  place  of  Christ,  if  he  set  out  to  make 
a  saviour  of  them,  if  he  mean  to  smuggle  himself  into 
heaven  by  them,  then  they  are  piratical,  and  must  be 
treated  accordingly. 

Or  if  a  man  be  making  stepping  stones  of  them, 

and  instead  of  entering  into  the  sheep-fold  by  the 

Jfe* 
door,  boosts  himself  up  by  means  of  them,  to  climb 

'  Prov.  xxiii.  7.  T 1  Tim.  i.  & 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         329 

over  some  other  way,  the  same  is  a  thief -and  a 
robber/  Captain  Good-enough  was  well-named  Old 
Climb-up.  Such  a  man  may  think  he  had  good 
works  to  stand  upon,  yea,  to  climb  upon,  and  he  may 
draw  up  his  ladder  or  his  under-pinning  after  him 
into  the  sheep-fold,  but  if  he  had  forty  thousand  such 
bolsters  or  beam-ends  to  rest  upon,  the  more  he  has, 
the  worse  for  him.  Striking  through  the  lubber-hole 
would  be  nothing  to  that. 

JOHN. — And  yet  he  felt  sure  he  was  going  on  well 
and  that  all.  was  right  and  safe.  But  the  man's 
ignorance  was  surprising,  and  any  man  that  has  ever 
seen  the  King's  Compass,  or  any  true  sailor's  log- 
book, ought  to  have  known  better.  But  I  have  heard 
of  men  who  knew  so  little  about  sea  affairs,  that  they 
could  not  tell  the  mainbrace  from  the  Captain's 
breeches.  Captain  Good-enough  had  a  catalogue 
of  virtues,  but  knew  nothing  about  Grace.  It  is  like 
carrying  a  cargo  of  topsails,  but  neither  yards  nor 
masts.  And  yet  he  must  have  been  active  in  his 
way,  for  he  could  climb  to  the  main  truck  without 
touching  shrouds  or  foot-ropes. 

PETER. — The  King  will  not  only  have  the  right 
things  done,  but  in  the  right  way.  A  monkey  might 
get  to  the  mast-head  by  the  running  rigging,  but  a  good 
seaman  will  go  up  the  shrouds.  There  is  never  a  true 

"Johnx.  1. 


330  A    REEL    IJf   A    BOTTLE. 

virtue  but  faith  in  Christ  must  be  at  the  bottom  of  it. 
Some  men  take  their  virtues  as  light  lumber,  that,  in 
case  of  shipwreck,  they  may  swim  upon,  as  the  soldiers 
that  were  with  Paul  got  to  shore  on  planks  and 
broken  pieces  of  the  wreck  ;  for  really,  though  they 
think  they  trust  Christ  half  way,  yet  they  do  not 
trust  him  at  all.  They  pretend  to  have  got  under 
weigh,  having  all  sail  set,  and  the  flag  hoisted  ;  but 
the  anchor  is  down  all  the  while,  and  they  never  will 
weigh  it,  unless  they  can  first  have  assurance  of  a 
safe  voyage.  But  that  is  a  thing,  you  know,  that  the 
King  keeps  in  his  own  hands,  and  will  make  no  bar- 
gains beforehand,  except  with  faith.  But  where 
there  is  faith,  there  is  no  desire  for  any  bargain  be- 
forehand, and  no  need  of  any.  The  soul  says,  I  leave 
everything  with  Christ,  and  Christ  may  do  as  he 
pleases  ;  but  I'll  serve  him,  any  way,  come  what 
may. 

JOHN.  —  "Well,  my  brother,  you  speak  in  this  accord- 
ing to  the  Law  and  the  Testimony  .*  There  is  cer- 
tainly nothing  good,  except  the  heart  be  good,  and 
good  works  never  yet  mended  a  bad  heart,  any  more 
than  the  waters  of  a  stream  can  change  the  fountain. 
No  man  ever  yet  got  a  good  heart,  or  ever  will,  but 
in  Christ.  All  things  else  may  be  brought  to  God  — 
gold  and  silver,  prayers,  penances,  sacrifices,  and 

•  Isa.  viii.  20. 

• 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          331 

what  not ;  but  no  good  heart  ever  yet  was  brought  to 
him,  except  through  Christ.  And  so  he  saith,  Christ 
in  you,  the  hope  of  glory.10  ~No  hope  of  glory,  ex- 
cept Christ  is  the  soul  of  it.  The  meek  and  lowly 
spirit  cometh  no  other  way. 

And  so  he  saith,  that  to  this  man  only  he  will  have 
respect,  even  to  him  of  a  contrite  spirit,  and  who 
trembleth  at  his  word.11  Yea,  without  this,  and  the 
humble  faith  in  Christ  that  bears  it  up,  he  that 
killeth  an  ox,  is  as  if  he  slew  a  man  ;  he  that  sacri- 
ficeth  a  lamb,  as  if  he  cut  off  a  dog's  neck  ;  he  that 
offereth  an  oblation,  as  if  he  offered  swine's  blood  ; 
he  that  burneth  incense,  as  if  he  blessed  an  idol.1' 
Whereby  God  saith,  that  the  very  things  commanded 
as  duties,  if  done  with  a  proud  spirit — done  without 

fl 

faith  in  Christ — done  in  reliance  upon  self-merit,  are 
-no  better  than  sins ;  yea,  they  are  dog's-neck  duties, 
he  that  burneth  incense  to  them,  and  cometh  with 
them,  burneth  incense  to  an  idol,  and  cometh  to  God 
with  the  idol  of  his  own  worship  in  his  own  hands. 
It  is  a  terrible  delusion,  and  may  the  Lord  preserve 
us  from  it. 

PETEK. — Well,  I  sometimes  think,  terrible  as  it  is, 
it  is  the  last  devil  that  is  cast  out.  In  this  form 
Satan  is  always  at  hand  to  plague  us,  and  the  King 
himself  does  not  reign  supreme,  till  every  high  inia- 

10  Col.  i.  27.      n  Isa.  Ixvi.  3.     ia  Isa.  Ixri.  3. 


332  A   REEL   IN    A   BOTTLE, 

gination  is  cast  down,  as  Dagon,  and  every  thought 
brought  into  captivity  to  the  obedience  of  Christ.11 
"When  our  life  is  thus  hid  with  Christ  in  God,14  then, 
oh,  then  !  we  begin  to  be  truly  at  peace  and  quiet. 
Yea,  then  is  Christ  in  us  the  peace  of  God  that 
passeth  all  understanding.15  Then  is  self  all  gone, 
and  heaven  begins  on  earth. 

But,  as  I  said,  if  ever  there  was  a  man,  in  whom 
it  was  thus  all  gone,  before  the  seal  of  death — before 
mortality  itself  was  swallowed  up  of  life,"  I  know 
not  the  man.  Even  Paul  counted  not  himself  to 
have  attained  to  this,  or  become  perfect,  but  only  to 
be  reaching  forth,  and  pressing  on,  forgetting  the 
things  that  were  behind."  Nevertheless,  he  said, 
Our  conversation  is  in  heaven  ;  from  whence  also  we 
look  for  the  Saviour,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  shall 
change  our  vile  body,  that  it  may  be  fashioned  like 
unto  his  glorious  body,  according  to  the  working 
whereby  he  is  able  even  to  subdue  all  things  unto 
himself.18 

So,  the  leagues  of  ocean  we  have  passed  over, 
we  forget,  and  still  every  day  have  to  cast  all  upon 
Christ  as  at  the  outset,  and  every  day  we  need  for- 
giveness, and  every  day  the  Divine  Spirit  must  fill 
our  sails,  and  waft  us  onwards  ;  and  if  any  time  we 

11  2  Cor.  x.  5.     "  Col.  iii.  3.     1S  Phil.  iv.  7.    u  2  Cor.  v.  4. 
"  Phil.  iii.  13.  1S  Phil,  iii  20,  21. 


.   '       f 

FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.          333 

stop  to  consider  our  progress,  and  Bay,  This  is  ours, 
as  if  we  of  ourselves  had  done  some  great  thing  in 
getting  thus  far  ;  then  is  the  Lord  ready  to  smite  us, 
and  the  wind  is  all  taken  out  of  our  sails,  because  we 
give  not  God  the  glory  ;  then,  there  is  that  villain, 
Pride,  who  is  always  the  forerunner  of  Satan  ;  for  he 
smelleth  for  him,  and  leadeth  him,  as  a  pilot-fish 
doth  the  shark,  ready  to  cut  our  shrouds  for  us,  and 
give  us  a  grievous  fall.  The  life  cf  self  is  our  death  ; 
the  death  of  self  in  Christ  is  our  life  ;  'tis  the  last 
enemy  that  shall  be  destroyed.  But  when  this  cor- 
ruptible shall  have  put  on  incorruption,  and  this 
mortal  shall  have  put  on  immortality,  then  shall  be 
brought  to  pass  the  saying  that  is  written,  Death  is 
swallowed  up  in  victory.  And  thanks  be  to  God, 
who  giveth  us  the  victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.19 

JOHN.  —  Yea,  brother,  self  hath  as  many  lives  as  a 
cat,  and  pride  hath  the  appetite  of  a  shark,  and  will 
swallow  everything.  Grace  itself  disappears  in  the 
$naw  of  that  monster.  Yet  grace  shall  conquer  him 
•  —  shall  swallow  him,  if  we  only  hold  on  to  Christ. 
'Tis  a  sweet  word  of  the  watch,  Xone  but  Christ! 
none  but  Christ  !  Have  you  not  lain  awake  some- 
times, thinking,  "Where  is  God,  my  Maker,  that 
giveth  songs  in  the  night?20  And  then  that  word  has 

19  1  Cor.  xv.  54,  57.        20  Job  xxxv.  10. 


f     '  ^.  • 

334:  A   KEEL   LN    A    BOTTLE, 

come,  as  if  booming  across  the  deep,  or  borne  on  the 
wings  of  the  wind  f»*oin  a  distant  vessel,  None  but 
Christ !  none  but  Christ !  Oh,  'tis  a  sweet  sound !  Then 
I  say  to  myself,  I  can  do  all  things  through  Christ  that 
strengtheneth  me.ai  I  am  crucified  with  Christ :  never- 
theless, I  live  ;  yet  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in  me  ; 
and  the  life  which  I  now  live  in  the  flesh,  I  live  by 
the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  who  loved  me,  and  gave 
himself  for  me.22  Oh,  those  are  precious  words, 
Who  loved  me,  and  gave  himself  for  me!  Some- 
times I  say  to  myself,  when  Satan  would  take  them 
away  out  of  my  mouth,  Why  may  I  myself  not  have 
them,  as  well  as  Paul  ?  I  am  as  big  a  sinner.  Then 
Satan  draws  back,  and  the  fear  of  death  itself  is  con- 
quered, and  God  seems  to  have  given  me  the  vic- 
tory. 

PETER. — Well,  indeed,  there  is  none  other  victory. 
And  this  is  the  victory  that  overcoineth  the  world, 
even  our  faith.13  This  is  the  King's  victory,  in  us, 
over  the  god  of  this  world,  and  by  this  he  will  bring 
us  off  conquerors.  Nothing  but  this  can  sustain  u* 
in  life,  nothing  but  this  can  comfort  us  in  death.  We 
must  throw  all  upon  Christ.  A  man  that  had  been 
a  faithful  servant  of  God,  as  the  King's  Ambassador, 
once  lay  a  dying,  when  he  was  visited  by  a  dear  and 
loving  fellow-minister.  This  man,  seeing  him  so  noar 

"  Phil.  iv.  13:  "  Gal.  ii.  20,  !>  1  John  v.  4.     "" 


FOB  JAC£  IN  THE  DOLDKUMS.         335 

death,  put  the  question  to  him,  And  what  are  you 
doing  now,  my  brother  ?  Whereupon  he  answered, 
"  I'll  tell  you  what  I  am  doing,  dear  brother,  I  am 
gathering  together  all  my  prayers,  all  my  sermons,  all 
my  good  deeds,  all  my  ill  deeds  ;  and  I  am  going  to 
throw  them  all  overboard,  and  swirn  to  glory  on  the 
plank  of  Free-grace." 

JOHN. — "Well,  we've  nothing  else  to  swim  upon,  and 
even  then,  'tis  not  our  swimming,  but  his  grace,  that 
holds  us  up.  We  should  as  often  dive  down  to  the 
bottom,  as  swim  upon  the  top,  if  it  were  not  for  that. 
And  who  is  it  that  makes  our  weather  for  us  ?  Who 
knows  what  is  the  best  weather  ?•  Why,  verily,  we 
know  not  even  what  to  pray  for  as  we  ought,54  unless 
out  of  the  same  Free  Grace  his  Divine  Spirit  teach- 
eth  us. 

Now  the  time  wore  away  in  such  talk  with  sur- 
prising rapidity,  and  if  the  days  were  as  days  of 
heaven,  the  nights  that  followed  were  still  more 
lovely.  For  indeed  no  language  can  tell  the  glory  of 
the  starry  sky  above  the  ocean,  as  they  now  flew  upon 
their  voyage,  nor  the  beauty  of  the  sea  beneath  the 
waxing  and  waning  moon ;  for  they  could  follow  its 
increase  from  the  first  silver  thread  of  light,  to  the 
brilliance  of  the  full  orb,  and  then  again  as  it  slowly, 
gently  faded  from  the  sky.  And  when  it  was  riding 

14  Rom.  viii.  'J6. 


336  A.   KEEL   IN   A   BOTTLK. 

in  the  heavens  in  silent  majesty,  it,  seemed  to  look 
down  upon  them,  in  the  loneliness  of  the  wide  ocean, 
with  a  melancholy  tenderness,  as  if  appointed  of  God 
to  watch  over  them.  And  those  long,  long  lines  of 
light,  streaming  from  the  furrows  and  liquid  undula- 
tions of  the  waves,  between  them  and  the  horizon, 
when  the  moon  was  an  hour  or  two  before  setting ; 

and  at  the  horizon  the  whole  ocean  shining  as  if  it 

0 

were  nothing  but  a  sea  of  tremulous,  billowy  light, 
rolling  into  infinitude,  so  that  if  they  could  only  be 
there,  where  the  eye  followed  the  glory,  they  could 
have  sailed,  without  death  or  change,  right  into  the 
expanse  of  heaven !  So  it  sometimes  seemed  to  them, 
and  they  were  almost  in  an  ecstacy  of  transport  with 
such  views.  Sometimes  the  silence  of  midnight, 
under  such' a  lovely  sky,  was  broken  by  the  notes  of 
a  hymn  rising  and  floating  in  indescribable  sweetness 
id  melody. 

Beyond,  beyond  lhat  boundless  sea, 

Above  that  dome  of  sky, 
Farther  than  thought  itself  can  flee, 

Thy  dwelling  is  on  high : 
Yet  dear  the  awful  thought  to  me 

That  thou,  my  God,  art  nigh  : — 

Art  nigh,  and  yet  my  laboring  mind 
Feels  after  thee  in  vain, 


FOR   JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS. 

(P 

Thee  in  these  works  of  power  to  find, 

Or  to  thy  seat  attain. 
Thy  messenger  the  stormy  wind, 

Thy  path  the  trackless  main. 


These  speak  of  thee  with  loud  acclaim, 
They  thunder  forth  thy  praise 

The  glorious  honor  of  thy  name. 
The  wonders  of  thy  ways ; 

But  thtu  art  not  in  tempest-flame, 
Nor  in  day's  glorious  blaze. 

We  hear  thy  voice,  when  thunders  roll 
Through  the  wide  fields  of  air ; 

The  waves  obey  thy  dread  control, 
Yet  still  thou  art  not  there ; 

Where  shall  I  find  him,  0  my  soul, 
Who  yet  is  everywhere  ! 

Oh  not  in  circling  depth  or  height, 

But  in  the  conscious  breast, 
Present  to  faith,  though  veiled  from  sight, 

There  does  his  Spirit  rest. 
Oh  come,  thou  Presence  Infinite, 

And  make  thy  creature  blest ! 


: 

- 

« 

15 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE  LAST  KNEMY. 

Now  all  tlii'ough  the  day  they  Lad  seen  lovely 
strange  birds  fly^Bg,  and  sometimes  alighting  at  the 
mast-head,  and  this,  with  the  sight  of  some  flowers  of 
exquisite  beauty  among  the  sea-weed  that  came 
floating  by,*made  them  think  that  they  could  not  be 
very  far  from  land.  And  in  the  evening,  when  the 
sifif7  set,  it  no  longer  went  down  straight  into  the 
ocean,  but  seemed  to  sink  behind  a  towering  cloud- 
ridge,  which  they  knew  might  veil  a  continent,  but 
whether  of  the  Celestial  Country,  or  of  this,  they 
could  not  tell.  They  kept  watch  all  night,  and  com- 
pared their  course  and  observations  very  earnestly 
and  carefully  with  the  chart,  where  they  found  it 
wrftte^  at  the  goint  near  which  it  was  evident  they 
had  now  come,  Thine  eyes  shall  see  the  King  in  his 
beauty,  they  shall  behold  the  land  that  is  very  far 


. 

FOE   JACK    IN   THE   DOLDRUMS. 

off.1  They  also  found,  by  references  in  their  tables, 
such  results  of  their  calculations  -ae  these,  For  this 
God  is  our  God  for  ever  and  ever ;  he  will  be  our 
e,  even  unto  death.*  Also,  Thou  shalt  guide  me 
ith  thy  counsel,  and  afterwards  receive  me  to  glory.3 
Also,  I  will  behold  thy  face  in  righteousness,  I  shall 
be  satisfied,  when  I  awake,  with  thy  likeness.4 

In  the  morning  when  the  sun  arose,  they  thought 
ey  could  plainly  descry,  behind  the  white  cloud 
that  still  rested  on  the  sea  eastward,  what  seemed  the 
flashing  of  light  from  glittering  spires  and  domes, 
but  they  were  not  certain.  That  same  day  a  sail  was 
seen  at  a  great  distance,  and  as  jt^drew  near,  it  proved 
to  be  a  sentinel-ship  from  the  King  to  meet  them, 
whose  sign  was  an  almond  tree  and  a  grasshopper.6 
There  was  a  broad  white  flag  flying  at  the  foremast, 
and  by  the  help  of  the  glass  they  could  plainly  read 
these  words,  Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the 
death  of  his  saints."  Then  did  the}T  both  gaze  long  in 
motionless  silence,  for  though  the  sight  was  beautiful, 
and  the  sea  smooth  and  calm,  yet  an  awe  stole  irre- 
sistibly across  their  souls,  and  a  deep  solemnity 
brooded  upon  them,  not  knowing  what  was  to  happen. 
Nor  was  it  removed  by  the  loving-kindness  of  the 
commander  of  this  ship,  although  he  was  v$ry  cheer- 

1  Isa.  xxxiii.  17.  "  Psa  xlviii.  14.  '  Psa.  Ixxiii.  24. 

4  Psa.  xvii.  15.  *  Eccl.  xii.  5.  '  Psa.  cxvi.  15. 


^~ 

* 

340  A    REEL    IX    A    BOTTLE, 

ful  and  encouraging  both  in  his  words  and  looks.  He 
entered  into  sweet  conversation  with  them,  and  told 
them  that  they  must  here  wait  the  King's  pleasure, 
which  would  soon  be  made  known  to  them.  He  also 
showed  them  where  they  might  safely  drop  anchor, 
for  in  the  King's  ship  they  were  to  go  no  farther. 
There  is  no  more  sea,7  said  he,  though  you  have 
come  all  this  long  way  through  storms  and  dange 
But  now  the  glorious  Lord  will  be  to  you  a  place 
broad  rivers  and  streams,  wherein  shall  go  no  galley 
with  oars,  neither  shall  gallant  ships  pass  thereby. 
And  the  inhabitants  shall  not  say,  I  am  sick.  The 
people  that  dwell*  therein  shall  be  forgiven  their 
iniquity.8 

You  have  come,  said  he,  all  this  way  through 
deaths  and  sorrow  and  crying,  with  many  chanir- .  ; 
and  dangers  ;  but  now  there  shall  be  no  more  death, 
neither  sorrow  nor  crying,  neither  shall  there  be  any 
more  pain  ;  for  the  former  things  are  passed  away. 
Out  of  the  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle  dissolving 
you  pass  into  the  tabernacle  of  God,  and  God  will 
dwell  with  you,  and  you  shall  be  his  people,  and 
God  himself  shall  be  with  you,  and  be  your  God, 
and  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  your  eyes.' 
The  sea^also  shall  give  up  its  dead,10  and  them  which 

7  Rev.  jan.  1.    *Isa.  xxxiii.  21,  24.     »Rev.  xxi.  3,  4.     M  Rev.  xx.  13. 


• 

FOR   JACK    IN   TTIE    DOLDRUMS.  341 

sleep  in  Jesus  will  God  bring  with  him.11  At  these 
words  they  were  much  comforte«^md  listened  fur- 
ther to  the  man  as  he  took  them  to  their  place  of 
anchorage,  and  there  bade  them  watch. 

There  is  no  safety,  said  he,  till  you  put  off  this  taber- 

f  4^ 

nacle.  For  even  in  these  parts  the  great  Pirate  hath 
at  times  made  his  appearance ;  and  why  should  he 
not,  since  whole  fleets  are  sometimes  convoyed  by 
him  to  the  last  hour,  and  sometimes  the  King's  own 
ships  give  him  opportunities  of  attack  here,  that  he 
never  found  all  the  way  across  the  ocean.  Therefore 
watch,  for  blessed  are  those  servants  whom  their 
Lord,  when  he  cometh,  shall  find  so  doing.12 

!NV>w  the  manner  of  the  man  was  at  times  so  ex- 
ceeding grave  and  solemn,  especially  when  he  gave 
them  this  charge,  that  though  both  his  countenance 
and  his  words  were  full  of  love,  and  he  looked  upon 
them  with  a  face  of  joy,  as  if  it  had  been  the  face  of 
an  angel,  yet  Peter  and  John  could  not  help  trem- 
bling, and  their  sins  began  to  rise  up  before  them, 
even  those  things  that  had  been  long  forgotten,  and 
because  they  lost  sight,  for  a  season,  of  the  face  and 
promise  of  the  King,  the  thought  of  so  soon  standing 
before  God  caused  them  to  shrink  back  with  dread, 
because  of  their  own  unworthiness,  although  they 
had  now  so  nearly  gained  the  point  after  which  they 

11 1  Thess.  i».  14.  l2  Luk«  xii.  37. 


ft 

342  A    RKKL    IN    A    BOTTLK, 

- 

bad  been  struggling.  Tliey  tried  hard  tr>  dismiss 
their  fears,  but  TWfoelief  would  still  be  uppermost, 
and  so  it  was  a  darker  time  with  them  than  it  had 


been  for  many  days  of  their  nayigation.  TheyAd^ 
not  then  know  that  Satan  was  trying,  eyen  with  a 
last  assault,  to  throw  them  from  the  Rock  Christ 
Jesus,  and  to  make  them  look  about  for  some  other 
hope  of  salvation,  eyen  some  comfort  and  assurance 
in  themselves,  and  to  make  them  unwilling  or  fearful 
eyen  in  the  full  view  of  their  own  guilt,  to  throw  all 
upon  Christ. 

Now  the  man  witnessed  their  perplexity,  and 
pitied  them,  for  he  had  not  jet  left  them  at  their 
anchorage,  and  he  could  understand  thejr  trials,  and 
knew  the  nature  of  this  conflict.  So  he  cried  out, 
Why  are  ye  fearful,  O  ye  of  little  faith  ?!S  Wherefore 
do  ye  doubt?14  Have  ye  played  the  man  thus  far, 
and  will  ye  now  give  place  to  the  fiery  darts  of  the 
Wicked  One  ?  Remember  ye  not  how  it  is  said  that 
the  just  shall  live  by  faith,15  and  that  ye  are  made 
partakers  of  Christ,  if  ye  hold  fast  the  beginning  of 
your  confidence  steadfast  unto  the  end.16 

Oh  Sir,  exclaimed  Peter,  but  what  can  we  do  ? 
Will  the  Lord  receive  such  sinful,  vile  creatures, 
without  destroying  us  \  for  alas  we  have  not  been 
faithful  to  him,  but  exceedingly  unprofitable. 

"Matt.viii.  26.     "  Matt.  xiv.  31.     n  Rom.  i.  17.     1C  Heb.  iii.  14. 


FOIi    JACK.    IN    TI1K    DOLDRUMS. 

Then  paid  the  man,  Did  lie  receivo  yon  at  first  as 


great  sinners  or  great  saints  ?  Had  JR  ever<iny  th^ng 
to  bring  him  but  guilty  hearts,  to  be  renewed  by  his 
grs^e  ?  It'  he  received  yon  as  guilty  lost  sinners,  was 
it  nut  that  he  might  bejnerciful  unto  yon  forever? 

•| 

Yea,  the  giffs  and  calling  of  God  are  without  re- 
pentance.17 AY  hat  can  yon  then  say  to  these  things? 
^Xfiod  be  for  you,  who  shall  be  against  you  ?  lie 
tlilf  spared  not  his  own  Son,  but  delivered  him  up 
for  us  all,  how  shall  he  not  with  him  also  freely  give 
us  all  things  ?" 

Then  said  John,  great  sinners  need  great  faith. 
Lord  keep  us  from  adding  to  all  our  guilt  the  lu^t 
and  greatest  sin  of  unbelief.  While  we  were  yet  sin- 
ners, Christ  died  for  us  ;  much  more  then,  being 
now  justified  by  his  blood,  we  shall  be  saved  from 
wrath  through  him.1"  Yea,  moreover,  do  we  not 
remember  the  hymn  we  have  s$  often  sung  amidst 
the  roaring  of  the  sea. 

Begone,  unbelief,  my  Saviour  is  near 

And  for  my  relief  will  surely  appear. 

By  prayer  let  me  wrestle,  and  he  will  perform  : 

With  Christ  in  the  vessel,  I  smile  at  the  storm. 

9 

His  love  in  lime  pa.st  forbids  me  to  think 
He'll  leave  me  at  last  in  trouble  1o  sink  : 

- 
11  Rom.  xi.  29.  "  Rom.  viii.  31.  31.  "  Rom.  v.  8,  9. 


* 


A   REEL   IN    A    BOTTLE 


Each  sweet  Ebenezer  I  have  in  review 

Confirms  his  good  pleasure  to  help  me  quite  through. 

9 

Determined  to  save,  he  watched  o'er  my  path, 
When  Satan's  blind  slave,  I  sported  with  death; 
And  can  he  have  taught  me  to  trust  in  his  name, 


** 

And  thus  far  have  brought  me,  to  put  me  to  shame  ? 


Since  all  that  I  meet  shall  work  for  my  good. 
The  bitter  is  sweet,  the  medicine  is  food  ; 
Though  painful  at  present,  'twill  cease  before  long 
And  then,  0  how  pleasant  the  conqueror's  song! 


Now  while  they  were  speaking  thus,  it  so  happened 
that  Peter  was  seated  with  gloomy  downcast  counte- 
nance upon  one  of  the  King's  guns,  and  as  his  hand 
unconsciously  played  about  it,  he  encountered  the 
raised  letters  of  the  inscription  which  it  bore,  and 
turning  his  eye  upon  them,  he  saw  them  shining  like 
the  sun,  IT  is  GOD  THAT  JTSTHTETH,  WHO  is  HE  THAT  CON- 
DEJLXETH  ?  Whereupon  the  whole  passage  came  into 
his  soul  as  the  lightning.  Who  shall  lay  anything  to 
the  charge  of  God's  elect  2  It  is  Christ  that  died, 
yea,  rather  that  is  risen  again,  who  is  even  at  the  right 
hand  of  God,  who  also  maketh  intercession  for  us. 
Who  shall  shall  separate  us  from  the  love  of  Christ  ?** 
Then  was  hia  countenance  lightened,  and  his  heart 
was  glad,  and  he  said.  Though  I  walk  through  the 

10  Rom.  x.  32-35. 


Pi 

FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         345 

Yallcy  of  the  Shadow  of  Deatlf,  I  will  fear  no  evil, 
for  thou  art  with  me ;  thy  rod  and  thy  staff  they  com- 
fort ifte." 

Then  the  Captain  of  the  King's  ship  took  them  by 
the  hand,  and  pointed  to  the  bright  outline  of  the 
cloud  that  rested  on  the  sea,  and  said,  smiling,  Be  no 
more  faithless,  but  believing."  Hath  he  not  said,  I, 
egen  I,  am  he,  that  rclotteth  out  thy  transgressions  for 
mine  own  sake,  and  will  not  remember  thy  sins  ? 
And  this  he  saith,  though  he  hath  said  also,  in  the 
very  breath  before,  Thou  hast  made  me  to  serve  with 
thy  sins,  thou  hast  wearied  me  with  thine  iniquities." 
But  O,  there  is  forgiveness  with  him,  and  plenteous 
redemption,"  and  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  his  Son 
cleanseth  from  all  sin."  For  Jesus'  sake  all  things 
are  possible,  and  the  great  sweetness  of  .your  salva- 
tion is  this,  that  it  is  all  of  grace,  all  of  grace.  When 
Paul  himself  was  about  anchoring  in  this  roadstead, 
for  the  last  will  of  the  King,  he  said,  This  is  a  faith- 
ful saying,  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ 
Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners,  of  whom 
I  am  chief.86  But  the  sight  of  his  own  sins  at  that 
time,  and  of  himself  as  the  chief  of  sinners,  instead 
of  casting  him  into  despair,  or  filling  him  with  gloom, 
in  doubt  and  unbelief,  only  served  to  exalt  and  glo- 

ai  Psa.  xxiii.  4.  M  John  xx.  27.  "  Isa.  xliii.  24, 25. 

11  Psa.  cxxx.  4.  7.         "  1  John,  1.7.  "1  Tim.  i.  15. 


346  A   REEL   IN    A    BOTTXK. 

rify  his  Saviour.  II  humbled  himself  indeed,.. and 
cast  out  all  remnant  of  pride,  if  there  was  any  left, 
but' O  how  lovely,  how  glorious,  bow  triumphant,  it 
jaaade  the  grace  of  Christ  appear  !  Xo\v  what  if  your 
sins  are  great,  if  Christ's  redeeming  love  and  mercy 
are  so  much  greater  ?  Is  it  aot  so  much  the  more  to 
his  praise  ?  Wherefore  let  Satan  accuse  you  as  much 
as  he  pleases,  even  to  his  mttertpost,  (and  you  know 
that  he  is  the  accuser  of  the  Brethren.57)  that  shall 
but  exalt  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  make  him  the  more 
precious  ;  let  it  not  terrify  you. 

Sometimes  the  enemy  sets  hard  upon  weak  souls, 
just  at  this  very  point,  and  makes  life  a  burden  to 
them,  by  the  very  terror  of  death  ;  but  that  is  unbe- 
lief; he  never  gains  this  advantage  in  any  other  way._ 
Wherefore  remember  that  the  prayer  and  the  plea 
with  which  you  came  into  God's  kingdom  of  Grace, 
are  the  very  prayer  and  plea  with  which  you  must 
enter  the  kingdom  of  glory,  For  thy  name's  Bake, 
pardon  mine  iniquity,  for  it  is  great.28  Satan  may 
tempt  you  to  think,  Oh  if  my  sins  were  not  so  great, 
then  might  I  stand  before  God  with  less  terror  !  But 
what  a  dishonor  to  the  King  is  that !  Would  you 
lessen  the  praise  of  his  grace  by  pretending  the  small- 
ness  of  your  sins  ?  Oh,  no  sin  is  small,  and  every 
sin  must  have  cost  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  to  redeem 

85  Rev.  xii.  10.  "  Psa.  xxv.  11. 


t  * 


FOE   JTACK   IN    THE    DOLDROi>. 

you  from  it,  even  if  that  had  been,  the  only  sin  & 
committed.     But  the  very  greatness  of    Oiy  sins  is 


the  power  of  your  plea  for  redemption,  coming  in  the 
name  of  Christ.  Great  sinners,  you  said,  need  great 
faith  ;  but  one  sinner  needs  the  same  faith  as  anotheu, 
and  it  is  always  grea&jaith  and  precious,  when  a 
soul  cometh  to  God,  and  crieth  out,  For  thy  name's 
sake  pardon  mine  ijjfquity,  for  it  Te  great.  You  see 
the  prayer  is  not,  as  Satan  would  have  it,  Pardon  me, 
for  I  am  a  little  sinnefr;  that  would  be  a  great  lie  to 
the  King,  and  a  great  contempt  of  the  power  of  his 
blood,  and  the  freeness  of  his  salvation  ;  but,  Pardon 
me  for  Jesus'  sake,  because  I  am  a  great  sinner,  whose 
only  plea  is  that  Jesus  died  for  the  chief  of  sinners. 
Here  we  rest. 

Now  when  the  man  had  finished  these  words  of 
instruction  and  comfort,  he  left  them  for  the  pre- 
sent, having  directed  the  ship  to  a  secure  position. 
Here  then  they  lay  at  anchor,  waiting  the  King's 
Wofd. 

Sometime^it  was  tempestuous  in  the  roadstead,  for 
even  here  the  Prince  of  the  Power  of  the  Air  hath 
now  and  then  dominion,  and  raisetli  a  great  commo- 
tion among  the  waves  of  the  sea  ;  and  it  was  said  that 
the  King  might,  of  his  good  pleasure,  permit  this,  ns 

*&jlf 

a  last  trial  of  the  faith  of  those  for  whom  he  was  pro- 


A    REEL    IN    A    BOTTLE, 

paring  a  crown  of  glory.  But  often  the  weather  was 
clear,  calm,  and  delightful.  Sometimes  a  thick  veil 
of  mist  lay  upon  the  whole  region  beyond  this  road- 
stead, or  rather  rose  up  like  a  wall  or  a  curtain  before 
it,  and  only  now  and  then  was  partially  broken  away, 
so  that  they  could  see.  Sometimes,  when  it  was  thus 
broken,  there  came  flashes  of  light  streaming  from  a 
great  distance  through  the  cloud-rifts,  in  which  could 
be  plainly  discerned  parts  of  that  City  that  lieth  four 
square,  the  building  of  the  wall  of  which  is  of  jasper, 
and  the  City  pure  gold,  like  unto  clear  glass."  Some- 
times the  foundations  of  the  wall  of  the  city  were 
disclosed,  even  unto  the  twelfth  and  last,  which  was 
an  amethyst,  and  then  the  gates  could  be  seen,  which 
were  of  pearl.30  With  the  use  of  the  King's  glass, 
these  things  seemed  very  near  when  they  could  be 
seen  at  all,  and  the  sight  of  them  was  ravishing  to 
the  heart,  for  there  was  a  light  round  about  them, 
full  of  glory,  and  it  shone  down  even  on  the  sea. 

Moreover,  in  fair  weather  there  were  boats  some- 
times shooting  forth  with  fruits  from  the  land,  fore- 
tastes, as  they  were  called,  for  the  refreshment  of  the 
King's  seamen,  after  their  long  voyage.  Also,  they 
could  sometimes  hear  songs  in  the  night,  as  of  per- 
sons in  the  air,  but  very  near  them ;  and  in  the  day, 
it  was  sometimes  the  c:i>e.  that  celestial  forms  could 

"  Rev.  xxi.  16-1S         30  Rev.  xn.  19-21- 

jfe 


*  *        .'^"-"l. 

FOK  JACK  IN  THE  UDLD3PMS. '"<'       349 

l)e  discerned,  or  what 'seemed  to  be  such,  walking  in 
the  edge  of  the  clouds,  where  they  rested  on  a  glit- 
tering pearly  beach,  as  on  the  shore  of  the  ocean. 
And  now  it  came  to  pass,  that  notwithstanding  their 
seasons  of  darkness,  they  began  earnestly  to  desire  to  * 
be  clothed  upon,  that  mortality  might  be  swallowed 
up  of  life,  saying,   one  to   another,   He   that  hath    ^ 
wrought  us  for  the  self-same  thing  is  God." 

But  they  were  given  to  understand  that  still  there  * 
was  a  bar  to  be  crossed,  where  two  seas  met,  and 
where  the  passage  might  be  dark  and  rough,  or  it  # 
might  be  as  smooth  and  shining  as  a  summer's  sea  ; 
but  that  would  be  according  to  the  strength  of  their 
own,  faith,  and  the  good  pleasure  of  the  King,  when- 
ever he  should  summon  them.  They  were  informed, 
also,  that  they  would  have  to  pass  that  place  in  an 
open  boat,  which,  itself,  would  also  disappear  from 
them,  as  they  crossed  the  baft  At  this  their  spirits 
were  somewhat  damped  at  first,  but  there  was  no 
help  for  it,  nor  any  other  way  of  ever  coming  to  the 
City.  Sometimes  it  seemed  as  if  they  could  have 
flown  thither,  but  they  were  to  wait  the  King's  plea- 
sure, neither  could  they  take  a  step  farther  but  by 
notice  from  him. 

Now,  being  thus  situated,  the  two  men  spent  no 
little  time  in  pondering  the  King's  Chart,  reviewing 

<H|Pt  tl  2  Cor.  v.  4,  5. 

* 


350  A    11KEL    IX  A  BOTTLK, 

their  log,  and  i">nsi<HTing  a;!  tin.-  vvav  the    Lur.l   ha«l 
brought  them.    They  comforted  one  another  in  much 
prayer,  and  in  a  mutTU&Lrfcmiuding  of  the  King's 
'  Jfeat  promises  :  for  they? rested  only  upon  his  iu- 
^finite  love, his  cieau-riii.;  bl<5od,i»s  sanctifying  grace; 
and  they  said^  one   to   angler,   Ii  the   Lord   were 
^  pleased  to  kill  us,  he  would  not  have  received  a  burnt 
»   offering  and  a  meat  offering  at:-our  hands,  neither 
•  would  he  have  showed  us  all  these  things,  nor  would, 
as  at  this  time,  have  told  us  such  things  as  these.32 
And  sometimes  they  would  lean  over  the  taffrail  of 
the  ship,  and  gaze  towards  the  heavenly  light  before 
them,  and  say  one  to  another,  Even  so,  come,  Lord 
Jesus,  come  quickly !"  Here  the  glass  was  of  but  lit- 
tle use  to  them,  for  it  would  not  penetrate  the  cloud, 

^ 
except  when  there   were  the   rifts  that   have  been 

spoken  of,  and,  moreover,  they  could  see  no  farther 
from  the  mast-head,  than  from  the  deck. 
•>  How  sweet  it  is  to  know,  said  John  to  Peter,  that 
our  times  are  in  his  hands,34  and  that  he  hatlrthe 
keys  of  death  and  hell.1* 

Yes !  oh,  yes !  exclaimed  Peter.  ATy  soul  cleaveth 
to  his  promises ;  for,  oh,  he  is  faithful  and  just  to 
forgive  us  our|#Sns,  and  cleanse  us  from  all  unright- 
eousness." Oh,  the  sw^et  power  of  his  most  precious 

B  Judg.  xiii.  23-   3S  Rev.  xxii.  20.    *  Psa.  xxri.  15.    £6  Rev.  i.  18. 
98  1  John  i.  9.         .- 


FOR  JACK  IN  THE  DOLDRUMS.         35] 

*       ^ 

blood  !  "What  should  we  do  without  that,  at  such  an 
hour  as  this  !  What  should  we  do  without  his  dying 
love  to  rest  upon,  and  his  blood  that  cleanseth  from 

r 

all  sin.  And  oh,  how  precious  his  own  most  com- 
forting assurances.  All  that  the  Father  giveth  me, 
said  he,  shall  come  to  me ;  and  him  that  cometh  to 
me,  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out.  And  again,  No  man  .  ^. 
can  come  to  me,  except  the  Father  which  hath  sent 
me,  draw  him ;  and  I  will  raise  him  up  at  the  last 
day.87  What  precious  security  of  life,  from  the 
Father  and  the  Son  ! 

JOHN. — Yea,  that  is  a  blessed  assurance,  This  is 
the  Father's  will  which  hath  sent  me,  that  of  all 
which  he  hath,  given  me,  I  should  lose  nothing,  but 
should  raise  it  up  again  at  the  last  dijtr.38  If  the 
Good  Shepherd  had  not  loved  his  sheep,  and  deter- 
mined to  keep  them,  he  had  not  laid  down  his  life 
for  them.39 

PE*TEB. — But  he  is  an  Almighty  Redeemer,  able  as* 
willing,  and  willing  as  able,  to  save  to  the  uttermost 
all  that  come  unto  Tjod  through  him.40  How  great 
and  glorious  the  promise,  I  give  unto  them  eternal 
life ;  and  they  shall  never  perish,  neither  shall  any 

.      |^       A^gb, 

man  pluck  "them  out  of  my  hand.     My  Father,  which 
gave  them  me,  is  greater  than  all ;  and  no  man  is 


17  John  vL  37,  44-       *  John  vi.  39-        "'  John  x.  11.     40  Heb.  vii.  25. 


352  A    REEL    IN   A   BOTTLE, 

able  to  pluck  them  out  of  my  Father's  hand.  I  and 
my  Father  are  one.41 

JOHN. — Oh,  if  we  are  //«'*,  no  doubt  we  are  everlast- 
ingly his.  It  is  not  him  that  my  soul  ever  doubteth? 
or  distrusteth,  but  myself.  If  I  should  be  mistaken, 
it  is  for  eternity.  Lord,  save  me,  I  perish  !4a 

PETER. — That,  dear  brother,  must  be  our  last 
prayer,  as  it  was  our  first.  ~\Ve  are  stripped,  as  at 
the  beginning,  and  have  lost  all  things  but  Christ, 
yet  we  have  all  things  in  him.  Our  fellowship  is 
with  the  Father,  and  with  his  son  Jesus  Christ ;°  and 
the  plank  of  Free  Grace,  on  which  we  too  may  swim 
to  glory,  may  venture  death  without  fear,  is  just 
this,  THE  BLOOD  OF  JESUS  CHRIST  HIS  SON  CLEANS  irm  us 

FROM  ALT.  <LN.44 

Shudder  not  to  pass  the  stream, 
Venture  all  thy  care  on  him  ; 
Him,  whose  flying  love  and  power 
Stilled  its  tossing,  hushed  its  roar. 

Safe  is  the  expanded  wave, 
Gentle  as  a  summer's  eve ; 
Not  one  object  of  his  care 
Ever  suffered  shipwreck  there. 

, 

Now  when  the  time  came  for  them  to  take  their 
departure,  it  was,  by  the  mercy  of  the  Lord,  a  lovely 

41  John  x.  28,  29,  30.         41  Matt.  viii.  25. 
a  1  John  i.  3.  "  1  John  i.  7. 


FOR   JACK    IN    TIIp:    DOLDRUMS 

day,  and  they  knew  that  the  hour  was  come,  because 
the  King's  boat  was  seen  coming  for  them,  with  a 
white  flag  flying,  on  which  was  written  the  inscrip- 
tion, My  flesh  and  my  heart  faileth,  but  God  is  the 
strength  of  my  heart  and  my  portion  for  ever."  Who 
or  what  guided  the  course  of  this  boat,  they  could  not 
tell,  only  now  it  was  plain  that  they  were  to  step 
down  out  of  the  ship,  and  be  taken  across  the  passage. 
So,  as  if  an  angel  had  them  in  hand,  they  felt  them- 
selves constrained  to  quit  the  long  familiar  deck,  nut 
without  pain  at  thus  leaving  it,  and  they  went  down, 
something  as  Peter  did  of  old,  when  he  walked  on 
the  water  to  go  to  Jesus.  But  now  it  was  not  stormy, 
but  on  the  contrary,  the  sea  was  so  quiet,  that  the 
very  undulations,  on  which  the  boat  .rose  and  fell, 
were  like  the  breathings  of  a  sleeping  infant.  So 
they  were  watted  along,  and  in  a  moment  could  no 
longer  distinctly  see  what  they  were  leaving,  but  the 
ship  became  dim,  and  then  was  gone  from  their  sight 
for  ever.  But  all  the  while  the  sea  remained  so  quiet 
that  they  hardly  knew  when  the  bar  was  reached, 
and  meantime  a  softly  breathing  melody  rose  upon 

the  air,  BLESSED  ARE  THE  DEAD  wuo  DIE  IN  THE  LORD," 

4p ' 

which  was  still  ringing,  when  a  shining  wave  went 
over  them,  and  the  boat  at%he  same  time  passed  from 
under  them,  and  was  seen  no  more ;  and  then  they 

46  Psa-  Ixxiii.  26.          "  Rev.  xiv.  13. 


•tr" 

354  A    rr.icr,  IN  A  BOTTLE. 

found  themselves  with  angels,  rising  as  from  a  burial, 
having  left  their  mortal  garments  iu  the  sea.  And 
wen  as  they  rose,  they  found  themselves  clad  in 
white  raiment,  for  it  was  thus  that  they  were  to  walk 
with  the  King  in  white,  being  worthy/7  They  did 
not  know  when  they  were  unclothed,  nor  how  they 
were  clothed  upon,  but  it  was  plain  now,  that  mor- 
tality was  -swallowed  up  of  life.'1"  And  indeed  the 
bliss  they  now  experienced  was  so  great,  that  .nothing 
but  an  Immortality  freed  from  sense  could  have 
enabled  them  to  bear  it.  And  they  shone  like  the 
sun,  so  that  the  angels  looked  on  them  with  ravish- 
ing joy,  but  they  themselves  with  still  greater  amaze- 
ment and  Wjkpcy  looked  upon  the  angels.  And  so 


ecstue 

ip  to  t 


they  went  upfo  the  City. 


Firm  as  the  earth  thy  gospel  stands, 
My  Lord,  my  hope,  my  trust 

If  I  am  found  in  Jesus'  hands, 
iVIy  soul  can  ne'er  be  lost. 

His  honoris  engaged  to  save 
The  meanest  of  his  sheep, 

All  whom  his  Heavenly  Father  gave 
His  hands  securely  keep. 

• 
47  Rev.  iii4.  -432Cor.  v.  4. 


FOR    .TAOK    IN    TIIK    IX>Lr>RT"M?. 

Nor  death,  nor  hell  shall  e'er  remove 
His  favorites  from  his  breast, 

In  the  dear  bosom  of  his  love 
They  must  for  ever  rest. 


355 


* 


TIIK    END. 


NAPOLEON  AND  HIS  MARSHALS.    By  J.  T.  HEADLEY,  2  vola,  12mo.  cloth, 
gilt    Illustrated  with  12  Portraits,  $2  50.    25th  Thousand 

WASHINGTON  AND  HIS  GENERALS.    By  J.  T.  HEADLEY,  2  vola.  12mo,  cloth 
gilt    Illustrated  with  16  Portraits,  f  2  50.    22d  Thousand. 

THE  SACRED  MOUNTAINS.    By  J.  T  HEADLEY, 

Illustrated  with  12  engravings,  by  Burt,  with  designs  by  Lossing,  80th 

Thousand. 
Do-  ao-  do.,  12mo,  cloth,  gilt,  $1  25. 

SACRED  SCENES  AND  CHARACTERS.    By  J.  T.  HIADLEY, 

with  12  Illustrations.    Designed  by  Darley,          4th  Thousand. 
Do-  do-  do.,  1  Tol.  12mo.  cloth,  gilt,  $1  25. 

LETTERS    FROM    ITALY    AND    ALPS    AND    THE    RHINE.      By   J.   T. 

HEADLET,  1  vol.  12mo.  cloth.    A  New  Edition.    Revised  and  Enlarged.    With  a  Por- 
trait of  the  Author,  $1  18.    Sth  Thousand. 

LIFE   OF    OLIVER   CROMWELL.    By  J.  T.  HEADLEY,  1  voL  12mo.  cloth,  gilt, 
with  Portrait,  $1  25.    6th  Thousand. 

HEADLEY'S  MISCELLANIES.    Authorized  Edition,  1  voL  12mo,  cloth,  $1.      2d 
Thousand. 

ADIRONDACK;  OR  LIFE  IN  THE  WOODS.  Byj.  T.  HP..VDLEY,  with  on^t- 

nal  Daeigns  from  Gignoux,  Ingham,  Durand,  etc.,  1  vol.  12mo.  cloth,  $1  2ft-  4th  Thou- 
sand. 

SKETCHES   AND    RAMBLES.    By  J.  T.  HEADLEY,  1  vol.  12mo.  cloth,  75c.    Sd 
Thousand. 

THE  IMPERIAL   GUARD  OF  NAPOLEON.    From  Marengo  to  Waterloo.    By 
J    T.  HEADLEY,  1  vol.  12mo.  with  Illustrations,  cloth,  $1  25.    Just  Published. 

J.  T.  HEADLEY'S  WORKS— Uniform  Edition,  12  vols.,  in  sheep,  for  Libraries  and 
District  Schools. 

"Mr.  Headley's  peculiarities  as  an  author  are  universa'ly  known.  He  is  one  of  tho 
mqpt  vigorous  and  spirit-stirring  w.'*ersof  the  day,  especially  graphic  and  powerful  in 
narratives  of  exciting  events.  No  one  can  fail  to  get  from  his  descriptions  most  graphic, 
vivid,  and  lasting  impressions  of  the  scenes  of  which  he  speaks." — >V!  Y.  Courier  and 
Enquirer. 

"  His  descriptions  are  graphic,  his  history  correct,  and  his  summing  up  character  scarcely 
suffers  by  a  comparison  with  similar  pages  in  Tacitus." — ^V.  Y.  Evening  Post 

"  He  speaks  heartily,  earnestly,  truthfully ;  and  the  warm  heart  answers  to  his  voice." — 
y.  Y.  Observer. 

"  Each  one  of  his  Biographies  is  a  grand  historical  picture,  conveying  in  a  most  impret- 
sive  way,  a  true  idea  of  the  events  of  tho  time." — Cincinnati  Herald. 

"  Mr.  Hcadley  is  truly  eloquent  in  his  description  of  character.  He  presents  to  yo»  th« 
utronj:  points  of  the  man  with  a  clearness  that  seems  to  place  him  before  yon  as  an  old 
acquaintance." — Cleveland  Herald 

Whatever  critics  may  choose  to  say,  Mr.  II.  will  never  lack  readers.  The  stir  »nd  fire 
of  his  descriptions  will  touch  a  popular  chord.  In  describing  the  battle  field  arm  u.e 
tumultuous  stirring  life  of  the  cauip,  Mr.  II.  is  what  Cooper  was  upuu  the  Sea.- A  A 
Ecangdtet. 


•iuui.u  o  mum   liiuuuiiiJ  -<-..u  iiii 

PEOFE5SOE   BOYD'S  EDITION. 
THE  PARADISE  LOST.    By  John  Mi: ton.    V.'it1.!  Notes  Explanatory  and  Critical 

Edited  by  Eev.  JAJIES  KOBEP.T  BOYD.    1  vol.,  12mo.     Price,  $1  25. 

The  copious  notes  certainly  throw  much  light  upon  the  test,  and  wiil  render  the  work 
itself,  to  most  readers,  quite  another  thing  than  what  it  would  be  without  them. — J9T  Y. 
01  server. 

Professor  Boyd  has  evidently  elaborated  the  notes  with  great  care,  and  many  a  reader 
will  thank  him  for  having  rendered  intelligible  and  exquisitely  beautiful,  what  before 
scarcely  seemed  to  have  any  meaning. — Albany  Argus. 

Prof,  seor  Enyd  has  prepared  this  edition  with  copious  notes  and  introductory  remarks 
to  each  Book,  by  which  everything  obscure  is  explained,  while  the  various  beauties  of 
thought  and  style  are  nM|Hy  pointed  out. — Ilartfcrd  Herald. 

NIGHT  THOUGHTS  ON  LIFE,  DEATH,  AND  IMMORTALITY.  By  Ed- 
ward Young.  LL.D  With  a  Memoir  of  the  Author,  and  a  Critical  View  of  his  Writ- 
ings, and  Explanatory  Notes.  By  JAJIKS  ROBBET  BOYD,  Editor  of  TYe  Paradise  Lost. 

vol..  12mo     Price,  *1  25 

_d^v  k 

From  the  care  with  which  these  odiiions  have  been  gotten^*,  and  the  many  advantages 
they  pc*-os-  over  any  othw  ed:ti->ns  we  have  seen,  we  regard  them  as  the  most  desirable 
ished.— Arthur's  Uom-e  Gazette. 

•r  Boyd  has  laid  the  admirers  of  trne  poetry  under  lasting  obligations  for  his 
republi cation,  with  notes,  of  two  of  our  most  profound  ar^Mfci  mental  poets. — Christian 
Intelligence,:  wH 

The  oditoV  has  pert'onned  Tiij  task  with  evident  indusf^  and  love  of  his  author.  Ilia 
notes  are  generally  brie?  and  well  adapted  to  their  purpose. — Harper's  Jfagaeine, 

THE  LIFE   AND  WRITINGS  OF  DE   WITT  CLINTON.    By  -WrtegMiK   x 

CAMPBELL,  author  of  Border  Warfare  of  New  York,  or  AWals  of  Wryon  County.    1  voL, 

l-2mo.     Price,  $1  25. 

This  is  a  book  t'.at  has  long  been  required  by  the  public,  and  we  are  g'ad  the  compila 
tion  of  it  was  undertaken  by  so  ripe  a  scholar,  and  by  a  gentleman  of  such  acknowledged^ 
ability  and  discrimination  of  mind,  as  .Vr.  Campbell.  1  he  life  and  public  acts  of  De  Witt 
t  linton  form  too  large  a  part  of  the  history  of  New  York,  and  are  too  intimately  inter- 
woven and  connected  with  her  present  prosperity  and  greatnes^  not  to  be  eagerly  soiurht 
for  by  every  trrtPson  of  the  Empire  State. — Auburn  Daily  Adar*: 

X<>  library,  the  owner  of  which  professes  to  fi-el  an  intere.-t  in  • 
ofwew  York  in  particular,  *nd  of  his  country  in  general,  should  be  without  this  \ 
— Com^ff  Hal  Advertiser. 

"We  chee^Uly  re4Bmmend  it  to  the  public.  It  may  be  supposed  that  every  District 
School  Librn^in  ^w  York,  at  least,  will  purchase  \L—yeic<n-k  1>  i/',/  Advertiser. 

It  is  r\  LIU--  attractive  snnject,  and  Mr.  Campbell  is  admiraMy  qna!:^e  1  by  abilit 
and  familiarity  with  the  events  embraced  in  its  scope,  to  do  it  ample  justice.    His  book 
yill  be  welcomed  by  all  admirers  of  the  genius  of  Clinton  as  well  as  by  ail  interi 
public  affairs. — Courier  and  Enquirer. 

It  is  uuneces-ary  to  s.iy  that  no  public  man  has  been  more  intimately  identified  with 
the  literary  and  improvement  policy  of  the  State  than  T>e  "Witt  Clinton.  TTis  name  is 
associated  vfil,h  all  that  is  grand  in  its  recent  history,  r.nd  it  is  important  that  those  now 
commHjp";i  the  st;igo  of  political  action,  should  be  made  acquainted  with  bis  life  and 
writings,  'i  he  duiy  a.-:. n<.U  by  Mr.  Campbell  lia-  been  faithfully  exccntcd.  He  has 
\\  Mfon^^AUm  a  •/  i. 


• 

M  i2MO.  VGLS. 

RURAL  LETTERS,  AND  OTHER  fttfcCP.DS  OF  THOUGHTS  AT 
LEISURE;  embracing  Letters  from  undor  a  Bridge,  Open  Air  Musings  in  the  City 
"Invalid  Gamble  in  Germany,"  "Letters  from  Watering  Places,1'  &c.,  «fcc.  1  vol. 
Four  th  Edition. 

u  There  is  scarcely  a  page  in  it  in  which  the  reader  win  not  remember,  and  turn  to  again 
with  a  fresh  sense  of  delight  It  bears  the  imprint  of  natnre  in  her  purest  and  most  joy- 
ous  forms,  and  under  her  most  cheering  and  inspiring  inflnencea"  —  Jf.  Y.  Tribune. 

"  If  we  would  show  how  a  modern  could  write  with  the  ease  of  Cowley,  most  gentle 
lover  of  nature's  gardens,  and  their  fitting  accessaries  from  life,  we  would  offer  this  volume 
as  the  best  proof  that  the  secret  has  not  yet  died  out"  —  Literary  World. 

PEOPLE  I  HAVE  METj  or  Pictures  of  Society  and  People  of  ^Tark  —  drawn  under  • 
thin  veil  of  fiction.  By  X.  P.  WILLIS.  1  vol.,  12ico.  Third  Edition. 

"  It  is  a  collection,  of  twenty  or  more  of  the  stories  winch  have  blossomed  out  from  the 
summer  soil  of  the  author's  thoughts  within  the  Bftt  few  yejirs.  Each  word  in  some  of 
them  the  author  seems  to  have  picked  as  daintily,  for  its  richness  or  grace,  or  Us  fine  fit- 
ness to  his  purpose,  as  if  a  humming-bird  were  picking  upon  his  quivering  wing  the 
flower  whose  sweets  he  would  lovingly  rifle,  or  a  belle  were  culling  the  stones  for  her 
bridal  necklace."  —  2f.  Y. 


"  The  book  embraces  a  great  vaBRJfor  personal  and  social  sketches  in  the  Old  World, 
and  concludes  with  some  thrilling  reminiscences  of  distinguish.™  ladlfs,  includtng^^l 
Belles  of  New  York,  etc."  —  Tli*  ^public. 


LiTEl  I-'SRE  AND  THERE?  or^Jfctches  of  Society  and  Adventure  at  far-apart  times 
anj|)!aces.    By  N.  P.  WILLIE.    1  vol.,  12mo. 

"  l^is  very  agreeable  volume  condsts  of  sketches  of  life  and  adventure,  all  of  them,  the 
author  assures  us,  having  a  f< j i  inflation  stri  c tly  historical,  and  to  a  great  extent  autobiogra- 
phical. Such  of  these  sketches  as  we  have  read,  are.  in  Mr.  Willis's  in;  ,  krl  vein— a  vt-iu, 
by  the  way,  in  which  he  is  nnsurpassed." — Sartain'a  Jfagaziiie. 


n  who  take  np  this  pleasant  volume  will  lay  it  aside  until  they  ha*  perused 
every  line  of  its  contents." — Jersey  Journal 

HURRYGRAPHSjOr?k^ches  of  Scenery,  Celebrities,  and  Society,  taken  from  Lite 
By  N.  P.  WILLIS.     1  vul.,  l.iao.    Third  Edition. 

"Some  of  the  best  specimens  of  Mr.  Willis's  prose,  we  think,  are  herein  contained."— 

"In  the  present  volume,  which  is  filled  with  all  sorts  of  enticements,  we  prefer  the 
descriptions  of  nature  to  the  sketches  of  character,  and  the  dnsty  road-sid«  grows  ikiightr 
fill  under  the  touches  of  Willis's  blossoming-dropping  pen;  and  when  we  eoine  to  the 
mountain  and  lake,  it  is  like  revelling  in  all  the  fragrant  odors  of  Paradise."-4Bo«to«  AtUis. 

PENOILINGS  BY  THE  WAY.— A  Kewand  Eeviacd  Edition.     By  N.  P. 
1  vol.,  I ,mo. 


LIEUT.  LYNGH'3  1^¥  WORK.  $<  £ 

NAVAL   LIFE— THE   MIDSHIPMAN;  or  Observations  Afloat  and  Ashore.    By 
LIEUT.  W.  F.  LYNCII,  autnor  of  "  Dead  Sea  Expedition."    1  vol.  12mo.    Price,  $1. 

"  The  style  is  spirited  and  commanding,  tke  matter  of  the  most  exciting  character,  and 
the  deductions  often  drawn  from  incident  and  adventure  worthy  of  the  head  and  the  heart 
of  the  author." — American  Spectator. 

"Amid  the  rollicking  and  exciting  scenes,  so  characteristic  of  a  life  on  the  ocean  wave' 
the  author  has  introduced  others  of  a  more  subdued  kind — passages  here  and  there  of 
touching  pathos — little  gushiugs  from  the  fount  of  a  chastened  and  sensitive  nature,  be- 
traying a  heart  susceptible  to  the  higher  and  better  feelings  that  adorn  and  dignify  man." 
—  Wetkly  Eclectic. 

"  The  adventures  he  and  his  shipmates  met  with  in  various  quarters  of  the  globe,  are 
narrated  in  an  unpretending  style,  but  with  graphic  power.  Several  of  these  narrations 
are  of  exciting  interest,  and  they  so  closely  follow  each  other,  that  the  reader  will  find  it 
impossible  to  lay  down  the  book  until  he  has  reached  the  last  page." — Portland  Traiv- 
sorijit, 

"  This  is  a  delightful  matter-of-fact  volume,  for  which  we  predict  a  great  many  readers." 
— Christian  Intelligencer. 

"  It  is  a  work  which  does  credit  to  the  moral  and  literary  character  of  the  navy." — Jf. 
Y.  Evangelist. 

li  It  is  well  written,  avoiding  coarseness  and  slang,  and  will  be  a  pleasant  companion  for 
the  winter  evenings."— Cincin nati  Herald. 

"The  author  has  a  great  variety  of  experience,  and  he  has  made  out  of  it  not  only  an 
agreeable  but  instructive  book." — Albany  Argun. 

40 
"  It  is  filled  with  lively  portraitures  of  naval  life,  and  must  be  read  with  interact  both 

by  seamen  and  landsmen." — N.  T.  Tribune. 

•'  This  is  a  pleasing  book,  abundantly  teeming  with  the  thrilling  MSualties  of  '  hair- 
breadth 'scapes'  which  beset  the  paths  of  those  who  plough  the  enchafed  bosom  of  the 
deoji.  and  is  strikingly  characterized  by  the  winning  graces  of  modesty  of  tone  and  a  re- 
fined simplicity  of  narration." —  Washington  Republic. 


ANNALS  OF  Trj£  QUEENS  OF  SPAIN.    By  ANITA  GKOKGE.    2  vols.  12rco. 
Price,  $2  50. 

"Qlthe  manner  in  which  she  has  performed  her  task,  it  is  enough  to  say  that  she  has 
won  the  distinguished  commendation  of  Wm.  H.  Prescott ' — Jf.  Y.  Evangelist. 

"  Mrs.  George  follows  steadily  the  highway  of  her  subject  without  diverging  to  any  by- 
paths of  speculation  and  illustration.  Her  object  appears  to  be,  to  give  as  much  informa- 
tion its  possible  in  small  compass,  in  which  she  succeeds. " — Literary  World. 

"The  authoress  has  worked  her  way  through  the  scattered  rubbish  of  the  past  and  pro- 
duced a  work  of  immediate  and  lasting  interest" — Jiangor  Courier. 

"  The  work  is  written  in  a  clear  and  vivacious  style,  and  is  an  accession  to  the  popular 
literature."— Prairie  Herald. 


A    REEL  !N  THE  BOTTLE  FOR  JACK   IN   THE   DOLDRUMS:  being  the 

.Idrfntures  of  two  of  the  King's  Seamen,  in  a  nrya^e  to  the  Celestial  Country.     Edited  from 
UK  AfS.S.  of  an  Old  Salt.     By  Kei:  Henry  T.  Cheever.     Charles  Scribner. 

'•  We  should  be  called  extravagant,  if  the  delight  and  interest  with  which  we  have 
read  this  beautiful,  wonderful  allegory,  were  honestly  written  out.  It  purports  to  be 
the  adventures  of  two  young  seamen  in  the  King's  service,  in  a  voyage  to  the  celestial 
country — another  veritable  Pilgrim's  Progress,  only  made  by  sea,  and  with  the  greater 
variety  and  peril  incident  to  that  way  of  traveling.  Some  of  the  best  traits  of  Bun- 
yan's  immortal  poem  are  here  reproduced.  The  unity  of  design — the  strong  individu- 
ality of  character — the  perpetual  transit  from  the  allegory  to  the  truth  concealed 
beneath  it — the  homely  humor,  the  touching  pathos,  deep  religious  significance,  and 
felicitous  Scriptural  imagery  and  language — are  hardly  unworthy  of  the  genius  of  the 
Bedford  dreamer.  An  admirable  work — nay,  a  great  poem,  we  think  all  discriminat- 
ing readers  will  call  it  ;  while  no  one  who  takes  it  up  will  find  it  possible  to  dismiss 
it  till  the  end." — New  York  Evangelist. 

"  As  a  work  of  Christian  experience  and  religious  counsel,  this  has  great  value. 
The  perusal  of  it  will  make  one  familiar  with  heart-experiences  in  Christian  life,  and 
with  the  riches  of  the  Scriptures  and  of  devotional  poetry  in  the  English  tongue. 
Some  of  the  poetry  we  suspect  to  be  original,  and  it  is  of  the  first  order  of  sacred 
lyrics.  If  the  '  Old  Salt '  has  any  more  such  papers  stowed  away  in  his  locker,  we 
advise  the  editor  by  all  means  to  get  them  into  his  possession  and  work  them  up  for 
the  public  benefit.  We  are  glad  to  learn  that  he  has  projected  a  library  for  seamen, 
of  which  this  is  the  Alpha— the  Dominical  letter  in  Jack's  religious  calendar." — In- 
dependent. 

"  From  things  apparently  the  most  minute,  the  author  has  contrived  to  give  his 
readers  a  most  instructive  lesson.  We  trust  that  no  reader  will  expect  to  find  any 
thing  here  in  the  shape  of  levity.  If  they  do,  they  will  be  disappointed.  Religion  and 
morality  are  here  set  forth  in  an  unusual  dress,  calculated  to  win  the  attention  of 
those  to  whom  they  would  otherwise  be  wholly  uninviting.  The  style  and  manner 
of  tills  volume  augur  for  it  a  vast  number  of  readers." — -Christian  Intelligencer. 

"  This  is  a  very  felicitous  attempt  at  allegory.  One  would  suppose,  from  the  writer's 
familiarity  with  nautical  technology,  that  he  was  himself  a  veritable  old  salt,  in  the 
truly  marine  sense  of  the  word.  The  book  is  full  of  bright  and  striking  illustrations, 
well  fitted  to  enchain  the  attention  of  the  reader  ;  while  there  is  running  through  it  a 
deep  and  strong  current  of  evangelical  thought  and  feeling.  It  will  do  good  on  the 
water,  and  we  doubt  not,  on  the  land  also.  Mr.  Chcever's  efforts  in  behalf  of  seamen, 
especially  in  supplying  them  with  attractive  and  useful  books,  are  worthy  of  all  praise." 
— Puritan  Recorder. 

"Under  the  above  quaint,  yet  not  inapplicable  title,  Mr.  Cheeverhas  put  forth  an  al- 
legory which,  taking  the  narrative  of  a  sea  voyage,  depicts  the  struggles,  trials, 
temptations  and  difficulties,  that  beset  the  course  of  Christians  in  their  earnest  search 
after  true  happiness.  The  allegory  is  most  admirably  sustained  throughout.  The 
style  is  simple,  clear,  direct  and  forcible,  the  narrative  is  singularly  interesting,  and 
will  doubtless  be  favorably  compared  by  many  readers  to  its  world-renowned  proto- 
type, the  Pilgrim's  Progress." — .Arthur's  Gazette. 

"  There  is  originality,  rich  and  striking,  on  every  pnge.  With  a  depth  of  religious 
experience  but  seldom  found  in  these  superficial  days,  is  combined  a  delightful  flow 
of  imagination,  well  regulated,  however,  by  correct  taste.  It  is  one  of  those  books 
that  are  sure  to  be  useful." — New  York  Journal  of  Commerce. 

"The  characters  and  scenes  are  admirably  sustained  under  the  conduct  of  a  voyage, 
and  there  is  withal  such  a  fertility  of  invention,  such  a  richness  of  fancy,  such  a 
flowing  style  and  agreeable  and  genial  spirit  in  the  wo:L,  that  very  few  of  the  great 
mass  of  readers  who  take  it  up  will  readily  lay  it  aside."  —  The  Hook  Trade. 

"  A  HEEL  IN  A  BOTTLE  is  not,  as  may  be  supposed  by  readers  addicted  to  punning, 
;ind  therefore  on  the  look  out  for  such  perpetrations,  a  work  connected  with  the 


op 

-Lite.rai-y  World. 

"A  rich  imagination,  a  strong  sense  of  the  humorous,  a  keen  insight  into  character, 
and  a  most  graphic  pen,  are  visible  in  every  page,  while  the  religious  vein  is  worthy 
of  the  noble  type  of  Bunyan's.  It  admirably  satirizes  many  of  the  errant  folliea  of  the 
day,  and  in  the  reasonings  and  conduct  of  the  simple-minded,  heavenly  voj-agors, 
many  an  opinion  current  in  society  is  strikingly  arraigned  and  condemned.  No  reader 
will" be  apt  to  question  its  power  as  a  work  of  art,  or  its  manly  decision  aud  evan- 
gelical purity  in  matters  of  religious  opinion.  It  can  hardly  fail  to  do  much  good  ; 
and  in  the  hands  of  sailors,  for  whom  it  would  seem  to  be  principilly  designed,  it  must 
prove  at  once  a  charming  and  a  useful  teacher." — Parlor  Magazine. 


A     000  037  603     8 


m 


fjff///f>*  '- 

^^^B^^HB 
,'/•/     IS-  I 


'IMS 


m 


